Prospective study on the efficacy of optokinetic training in the treatment of seasickness

Abstract

Objectives: Seasickness corresponds to all of the clinical symptoms experienced by a subject at sea related to boat movements. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of optokinetic training versus placebo in the treatment of seasickness.

Material and methods: Fifteen subjects were randomized to either an optokinetic training arm or a placebo arm. The impact of seasickness was evaluated for each subject before and after optokinetic training using the Graybiel scale.

Results: Among the trained subjects, 71.4% were improved by optokinetic training versus 12.5% of control subjects. A significant difference was observed for Graybiel scores before and after optokinetic training in the training arm.

Conclusion: Optokinetic training appears to be an effective modality for the management of disabling seasickness. This training can be further improved by more global patient management.

Keywords: Motion sickness; Optokinetic training; Seasickness.