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Hughes CK, Eliason MJ, Matsuoka AJ. The Hidden Enemy: Mal de Débarquement Syndrome and Its Impact on Military Operations. Mil Med 2023:usad449. [PMID: 37987715 DOI: 10.1093/milmed/usad449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2023] [Revised: 10/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/08/2023] [Indexed: 11/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Mal de Débarquement Syndrome (MdDS) is a poorly understood vestibular disorder that frequently affects military personnel exposed to motion during transportation and deployment. It is characterized by a persistent sensation of motion often experienced after disembarking from a ship or other mode of transportation. It can significantly affect a service member's balance, coordination, attention, and focus, which can then substantially impact their quality of life, ability to perform their military duties, and overall mission readiness. Despite its potential impact, comprehensive studies on MdDS are scarce, especially within the military. The unique conditions of military service, including frequent travel, long flights, maritime deployments, and high-stress environments, make the military well suited to study MdDS. Increased awareness and understanding of MdDS is crucial for everyone in the military-from medical personnel responsible for the diagnosis and treatment of MdDS to commanders who must consider the operational impact of impaired personnel.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte K Hughes
- Department of Otolaryngology, Naval Medical Center San Diego, San Diego, CA 92134, USA
- Department of Otolaryngology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Michael J Eliason
- Department of Otolaryngology, Naval Medical Center Portsmouth, Portsmouth, VA 23708, USA
| | - Akihiro J Matsuoka
- Department of Otolaryngology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
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Browne CJ, Fahey P, Sheeba SR, Sharpe MH, Rosner M, Feinberg D, Mucci V. Visual disorders and mal de debarquement syndrome: a potential comorbidity questionnaire-based study. Future Sci OA 2022; 8:FSO813. [PMID: 36248065 PMCID: PMC9540399 DOI: 10.2144/fsoa-2022-0022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2022] [Accepted: 08/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Aim: Mal de debarquement syndrome (MdDS) is a neurological condition characterized by a constant sensation of self-motion; onset may be motion-triggered (MT) or non-motion-triggered/spontaneous (NMT/SO). People with MdDS experience similar symptoms to those with vertical heterophoria, a subset of binocular visual dysfunction. Hence, we aimed to explore potential visual symptom overlaps. Methods: MdDS patients (n = 196) and controls (n = 197) completed a visual health questionnaire. Results: Compared with controls, the MdDS group demonstrated higher visual disorder scores and visual complaints. NMT/SO participants reported unique visual symptoms and a higher prevalence of mild traumatic brain injury. Conclusion: Our findings suggest visual disorders may coexist with MdDS, particularly the NMT/SO subtype. The difference in visual dysfunction frequency and medical histories between subtypes, warrants further investigation into differing pathophysiological mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cherylea J Browne
- School of Science, Western Sydney University, Sydney, NSW 2560, Australia
- Translational Neuroscience Facility (TNF), School of Medical Sciences, UNSW Sydney, NSW, 2033, Australia
- Brain Stimulation and Rehabilitation (BrainStAR) Lab, School of Health Sciences, Western Sydney University, Sydney, NSW, 2560, Australia
| | - Paul Fahey
- School of Health Sciences, Western Sydney University, Sydney, NSW, 2560, Australia
| | - Stella R Sheeba
- School of Science, Western Sydney University, Sydney, NSW 2560, Australia
- Brain Stimulation and Rehabilitation (BrainStAR) Lab, School of Health Sciences, Western Sydney University, Sydney, NSW, 2560, Australia
| | - Margie H Sharpe
- Dizziness & Balance Disorders Center, Adelaide, SA, 5000, Australia
| | - Mark Rosner
- NeuroVisual Medicine Institute, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48302, USA
| | - Debby Feinberg
- NeuroVisual Medicine Institute, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48302, USA
| | - Viviana Mucci
- School of Science, Western Sydney University, Sydney, NSW 2560, Australia
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Lewis RF, Strupp M. Editorial: Vestibular Contributions to Health and Disease, Volume II-Dedicated to Bernard Cohen. Front Neurol 2021; 12:760822. [PMID: 34659102 PMCID: PMC8517110 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2021.760822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2021] [Accepted: 09/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Richard F Lewis
- Departments of Otolaryngology and Neurology and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States.,Jenks Vestibular Diagnostic and Physiology Laboratories, Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Michael Strupp
- Department of Neurology, Ludwig Maximilians University, Munich, Germany.,German Center for Vertigo and Balance Disorders, Munich, Germany
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