The time course of postflight simulator sickness symptoms

Abstract

Reports of posteffects following training sessions in Navy and Army flight simulators were obtained from pilots to determine the time course of recovery from simulator sickness. Results imply that posteffects may be a more serious problem than previously considered; 45% of all those queried (N greater than 700) reported having experienced symptoms of simulator sickness; 25% of the symptoms lasted more than 1 h after leaving the simulator; and 8% lasted more than 6 h. Postexposure symptoms were classified into three categories: visuomotor (based on disturbances in oculomotor control; e.g., eyestrain), disorientation (based on disturbance in postural control; e.g., dizziness), and nausea (vagal/autonomic symptoms). A safety risk may be posed particularly by the moderately high frequency of symptoms involving postural disequilibrium. Guidelines for coping with risks are discussed.