Postural Instability and Motion Sickness in a Fixed-Base Flight Simulator

Objective: The study explores associations of visually induced motion sickness (VIMS) with emergency braking reaction times (RTs) in driving simulator studies. It examines the effects over the progression of multiple simulated drives. Background: Driving simulator usage has many advantages for RT studies; however, if it induces VIMS, the observed driving behavior might deviate from real-world driving, potentially masking or skewing results. Possible effects of VIMS on RT have long been entertained, but the progression of VIMS across simulated drives has so far not been sufficiently considered. Method: Twenty-eight adults completed six drives on 2 days in a fixed-base driving simulator. At five points during each drive, pedestrians entered the road, necessitating emergency braking maneuvers. VIMS severity was assessed every minute using the 20-point Fast Motion Sickness Scale. The progression of VIMS was considered in mixed model analyses. Results: RT predictions were improved by considering VIMS development over time. Here, the relationship of VIMS and RT differed across days and drives. Increases in VIMS symptom severity predicted more prolonged RT after repeated drives on a given day and earlier within each drive. Conclusion: The assessment of VIMS in RT studies can be beneficial. In this context, VIMS measurements in close temporal proximity to the behaviors under study are promising and offer insights into VIMS and its consequences, which are not readily obtainable through questionnaires. Application: Driving simulator–based RT studies should consider cumulative effects of VIMS on performance. Measurement and analysis strategies that consider the time-varying nature of VIMS are recommended.

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Self-Controlled Concurrent Feedback Facilitates the Learning of the Final Approach Phase in a Fixed-Base Flight Simulator

Human Factors The Journal of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society ◽

10.1177/0018720809357343 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 51 (6) ◽

pp. 858-871 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

Michaël Huet ◽

David M. Jacobs ◽

Cyril Camachon ◽

Cedric Goulon ◽

Gilles Montagne

Keyword(s):

Flight Simulator ◽

Final Approach ◽

Fixed Base ◽

Approach Phase

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Postural Instability and Seasickness in a Motion-Based Shooting Simulation

Aerospace Medicine and Human Performance ◽

10.3357/amhp.5539.2020 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 91 (9) ◽

pp. 703-709

Author(s):

Kyle A. Pettijohn ◽

Dominick V. Pistone ◽

Andrew L. Warner ◽

Grant J. Roush ◽

Adam T. Biggs

Keyword(s):

Motion Sickness ◽

Military Personnel ◽

Postural Instability ◽

The Other ◽

Free Condition ◽

Life And Death ◽

Instability Theory ◽

Fixed Condition ◽

Moving Platform ◽

Motion Profile

BACKGROUND: Motion sickness is a problem for many; however, it is especially pressing for military personnel who need to operate in life and death environments. The current study investigated the underlying cause of motion sickness by testing postural instability theory.METHODS: Subjects experienced realistic motion profiles while performing a virtual reality shooting task and reporting any motion sickness symptoms. Postural instability was manipulated within 20 subjects across 2 conditions. In one condition, subjects could readily adapt their posture to the motion profile by adjusting their feet on the platform (Free), and in the other condition, their feet were fixed in place on the moving platform (Fixed). This Free condition decreased postural instability by allowing adjustment, while the Fixed condition increased postural instability by restricting adjustment. The same subjects completed both conditions to control for individual differences in motion sickness susceptibility.RESULTS: Overall, motion sickness was mild as measured by SSQ (M 14.41, Free; M 18.89, Fixed), and no statistically significant differences were observed between the conditions. Performance on the shooting task was reduced in accuracy by approximately 40%, although this result did not differ between conditions.DISCUSSION: The results do not support postural instability as a contributing factor in motion sickness symptomology. They also demonstrate the importance of accounting for motion when conducting training.Pettijohn KA, Pistone DV, Warner AL, Roush GJ, Biggs AT. Postural instability and seasickness in a motion-based shooting simulation. Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2020; 91(9):703709.

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The role of vection, eye movements and postural instability in the etiology of motion sickness

Journal of Vestibular Research ◽

10.3233/ves-2004-14403 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 14 (4) ◽

pp. 335-346 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Moira B. Flanagan ◽

James G. May ◽

Thomas G. Dobie

Keyword(s):

Eye Movements ◽

Motion Sickness ◽

Well Being ◽

Postural Instability ◽

Theoretical Approaches ◽

Precise Understanding ◽

Point Analysis ◽

And Performance ◽

Self Motion

Motion sickness is a term that is commonly used to describe the ill effects of many provocative motion (e.g. seagoing or air travel) and apparent motion (e.g. IMAX movies and virtual reality) environments on human well-being and performance. It can be extremely debilitating and yet we do not have a precise understanding of its cause. This study evaluates the importance of three factors that are purported to be involved in the etiology of motion sickness (MS). Most provocative motion environments cause three distinct, but possibly related, responses: reflexive eye movements (EM), sensory conflict (SC), and postural instability (PS). Three current theories, concerning the etiology of motion sickness, emphasize one of these responses, but deny the importance of the others. Such theoretical approaches preclude the possibility of a synergistic interaction of these factors. This experiment employed a three-factor experimental design wherein each factor was manipulated alone or in combination with the others. The independent variables involved two levels of: PS (induced by having the subject stand on a stationary platform or on a posturally challenging platform mounted atop a partially inflated rubber inner tube); SC (with or without illusory self movement elicited visually by whole field stimulation); and EM (unrestricted or controlled by a stable fixation point). Analysis of measures of PS, SC and EM confirmed the effectiveness of these manipulations. Analysis of MS measures (questionnaires, magnitude ratings, tolerance times) revealed a main effect of SC (p < 0.01), increased MS found with illusory self motion conditions. In addition, measures of MS symptomatology revealed a significant three-way interaction between SC, PS and EM (p < 0.05), greater amounts of MS found with conditions of illusory self motion, postural challenge, and unrestricted EM. This suggests support for a multi-factorial approach to the study of MS etiology. These findings suggest a major role of SC in the elicitation of MS, but also suggest important contributions from the EM and PS mechanisms.

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