Comparing the Differences in Brain Activities and Neural Comodulations Associated With Motion Sickness Between Drivers and Passengers

Assessing Passengers' Motion Sickness Levels Based on Cerebral Blood Oxygen Signals and Simulation of Actual Ride Sensation

(1) Background: After motion sickness occurs in the ride process, this can easily cause passengers to have a poor mental state, cold sweats, nausea, and even vomiting symptoms. This study proposes to establish an association model between motion sickness level (MSL) and cerebral blood oxygen signals during a ride. (2) Methods: A riding simulation platform and the functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) technology are utilized to monitor the cerebral blood oxygen signals of subjects in a riding simulation experiment. The subjects' scores on the Fast Motion sickness Scale (FMS) are determined every minute during the experiment as the dependent variable to manifest the change in MSL. The Bayesian ridge regression (BRR) algorithm is applied to construct an assessment model of MSL during riding. The score of the Graybiel scale is adopted to preliminarily verify the effectiveness of the MSL evaluation model. Finally, a real vehicle test is developed, and two driving modes are selected in random road conditions to carry out a control test. (3) Results: The predicted MSL in the comfortable mode is significantly less than the MSL value in the normal mode, which is in line with expectations. (4) Conclusions: Changes in cerebral blood oxygen signals have a huge correlation with MSL. The MSL evaluation model proposed in this study has a guiding significance for the early warning and prevention of motion sickness.

Vibro-motor Reprocessing Therapy towards Managing Motion Sickness Reduction: Evidence from EEG

This study examines the neural activities of participants undergoing vibro-motor reprocessing therapy (VRT) while experiencing motion sickness. We evaluated the efficacy of vibro-motor reprocessing therapy, a novel therapeutic technique based on eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), in reducing motion sickness. Based on visually induced motion sickness in two sets of performed sessions, eight participants were exposed to VRT stimulation in a VRT/non-VRT setting. Simultaneously, brain activity changes were recorded using electroencephalography (EEG) at baseline and during stimulus exposure, and comparisons made across the VRT/non-VRT conditions. A significant reduction in the alpha (8-12 Hz) spectral power was observed in the frontal and occipital locations, consistent across all participants. Furthermore, significant reductions were also found in the frontal and occipital delta (0.5-4 Hz) and theta (4-8 Hz) spectral power frequency bands between non-VRT and VRT conditions (p < 0.05). Our results offer novel insights for a potential nonpharmacological treatment and attenuation of motion sickness. Furthermore, symptoms can be observed, and alleviated, in real-time using the reported techniques. Clinical relevance - Instead of using drugs to treat motion sickness, patients could safely use this VRT technique.