Could sound be used as a strategy for reducing symptoms of perceived motion sickness?

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Working while exposed to motions, physically and psychologically affects a person. Traditionally, motion sickness symptom reduction has implied use of medication, which can lead to detrimental effects on performance. Non-pharmaceutical strategies, in turn, often require cognitive and perceptual attention. Hence, for people working in high demand environments where it is impossible to reallocate focus of attention, other strategies are called upon. The aim of the study was to investigate possible impact of a mitigation strategy on perceived motion sickness and psychophysiological responses, based on an artificial sound horizon compared with a non-positioned sound source.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Twenty-three healthy subjects were seated on a motion platform in an artificial sound horizon or in non-positioned sound, in random order with one week interval between the trials. Perceived motion sickness (Mal), maximum duration of exposure (ST), skin conductance, blood volume pulse, temperature, respiration rate, eye movements and heart rate were measured continuously throughout the trials.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Mal scores increased over time in both sound conditions, but the artificial sound horizon, applied as a mitigation strategy for perceived motion sickness, showed no significant effect on Mal scores or ST. The number of fixations increased with time in the non-positioned sound condition. Moreover, fixation time was longer in the non-positioned sound condition compared with sound horizon, indicating that the subjects used more time to fixate and, hence, assumingly made fewer saccades.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>A subliminally presented artificial sound horizon did not significantly affect perceived motion sickness, psychophysiological variables or the time the subjects endured the motion sickness triggering stimuli. The number of fixations and fixation times increased over time in the non-positioned sound condition.</p

Postural function in idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus before and after shunt surgery : a controlled study using computerized dynamic posturography (EquiTest)

Introduction Postural dysfunction is one of the major features of idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH). With computerized dynamic posturography (CDP) balance can be assessed objectively. The primary aim of this study was to describe the postural function in iNPH patients pre- and post-operatively in comparison with healthy individuals (HI) using CDP. Subjects and methods Thirty-five patients (16 M, 19 F) with a mean age of 73 (range 49–81) with iNPH, and sixteen HI (7 M, 9 F) aged 73 (62–89) were included. iNPH patients were operated on with a ventriculo-peritoneal shunt. Patients and HI were tested regarding motor function, balance and cognition. CDP, EquiTest (NeuroCom International, Clackamas, OR), was performed before and three months after shunt surgery and twice in HI, with a three-month interval. Results Pre-operatively, the 35 patients had poorer balance measured with the Sensory Organizing Test (SOT) score in every condition (p = 0.01 in SOT 1 and p &lt; 0.001 in SOT 2–6) compared to the HI. The greatest difference was in test conditions measuring mainly vestibular function, where loss of balance (LOB) was frequent. Twenty patients were evaluated three months after shunt surgery and 18/20 (90%) of them were considered shunt responders, with a mean improvement of motor score of 26% (range 5–67%). There was an improvement post-operatively in the weighted composite SOT score (p &lt; 0.05) but no significant change in any of the SOT conditions. LOB was not significantly reduced in any of the test conditions. Conclusion CDP showed that the patients had a poorer balance than the HI. The greatest difference was in SOT 5–6, indicating that the postural disturbance is of primarily central vestibular origin. There was a slight improvement of balance post-operatively

Multidisciplinary group information for patients with tinnitus: an open trial

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of a multidisciplinary group information as a part of a Stepped Care tinnitus management model. The Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) were administered before and after the group information to evaluate the effects. Method: In total, 627 patients participated in half-day tinnitus information meetings from 2004 to 2011 in our clinic. We retrieved 426 patients for analysis with complete scores on the THI, HADS, and a questionnaire covering background information. These three questionnaires were used before the information meeting, and the THI and HADS at a 1-month follow-up. Results: Significant decreases were found in scores on the THI (p &lt; .001) and the HADS-A (p &lt; .05), pre- and post-information session. However, no significant changes were observed on the HADS-D. Conclusion: An information meeting as a part of multidisciplinary Stepped Care model can be an effective initial approach to manage tinnitus, and serve as a filter for patients who need additional treatment