Vision and motion sickness

Abstract

The development of motion sickness appears intimately related to the visual system. The Sensory Rearrangement Theory states that situations which promote motion sickness are characterized by a condition in which the motion signals transmitted by the eyes, vestibular system, and the nonvestibular proprioceptors are at variance as to what was expected previously. The evolutionary significance of motion sickness rests in its linkage to an early warning system to avoid poisoning. Vision is capable of aiding in the development of suppression of motion sickness. Therapy of motion sickness includes posture, restriction of head movement, visual manipulations, concurrent activity, drugs, and adaptation.