Effect of Vestibular Rehabilitation and Gaze Stabilization exercises in individuals with Motion Sickness
Description
The present study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of vestibular rehabilitation and gaze stabilization exercises in reducing motion sickness symptoms in individuals experiencing motion sickness. The outcomes were assessed using Motion Sensitivity Quotient (MSQ), Motion Sickness Assessment Questionnaire (MSAQ), and Virtual Reality Balance Questionnaire (VRBQ). The findings of the study demonstrated that all three groups showed significant improvement in motion sickness symptoms following the intervention. This was evident from the reduction in MSQ, MSAQ, and VRBQ scores in within-group analysis, indicating that vestibular rehabilitation, gaze stabilization exercises, and conventional treatment are all effective in managing symptoms such as dizziness, nausea, and balance disturbances. On comparing the groups, the combined intervention group (vestibular rehabilitation with gaze stabilization exercises and conventional treatment) showed greater improvement in all outcome measures. However, between-group analysis revealed that this improvement was statistically significant only when compared with the conventional treatment group. The comparison between the combined intervention group and the vestibular rehabilitation with conventional treatment group was not statistically significant, suggesting that both interventions are comparably effective. Similarly, no statistically significant difference was observed between the vestibular rehabilitation with conventional treatment group and the conventional treatment group, although clinical improvement was noted. The greater improvement observed in the combined intervention group may be attributed to the synergistic effect of vestibular rehabilitation and gaze stabilization exercises. Vestibular rehabilitation helps in enhancing vestibular compensation and improving balance, while gaze stabilization exercises improve visual-vestibular interaction and dynamic visual acuity. Together, these interventions may reduce sensory conflict, which is one of the primary causes of motion sickness. Furthermore, the improvement observed across all groups may also be explained by neural adaptation and habituation mechanisms, where repeated exposure to motion stimuli leads to reduced symptom severity over time. This supports the use of structured rehabilitation programs in managing motion sickness effectively. Thus, the findings of the present study suggest that although all treatment approaches are beneficial, a multimodal intervention combining vestibular rehabilitation and gaze stabilization exercises provides better clinical outcomes, particularly when compared to conventional treatment alone.
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Steps to reproduce
Participants were screened prior to enrollment using the Motion Sickness Susceptibility Questionnaire Short – form (MSSQ – short). The MSSQ – Short is a validated self – report tool designed to assess an individual’s susceptibility to motion sickness based on previous experiences in various modes of transport and motion environments.Each participants complete demographic details like Name, Age, Gender, Height, Weight, BMI, were recorded and documented. Scores of outcome measures like MSQ. MSAQ and VRBQ were recorded before starting the interventions. Vestibular rehabilitation exercises 1. In standing move eyes up and down, slowly, and then quickly (2 minutes) then move eyes to left and right, slowly, and then quickly (2 minutes). 2. Stand with one arm elevated over the head, with the eyes looking at the elevated hand. Bend over and low the arm diagonally with the eyes continuously looking at the hand until the hand arrives at the opposite foot. Repeat 5 times. 3. Throw a ball from one hand to the other, following it with the eyes. (10 times) 4. Walk in a hallway with eyes opened (1 minutes) and walk in a hallway with eyes closed. (1 minutes). 5. Stand with hand on a firm object, eyes closed and march in place counting to 30. Gradually lift off the hand in an attempt not to use it and march for another count to 30. 6. Place a cushion on the floor 5 ft away from the firm object. Place sheet of paper on wall with horizontal line on it at eye level, 10 – 15 ft away. Ask the subject to march in place on cushion looking at the horizontal line, using the firm object for support and count to 30. Gaze stabilization exercises 1. A business card or a target with words on it (foveal target) is taped in front of the patient so that the subject can read it. The subject first moves his head horizontally and then vertically for 1 minute keeping the words in focus. 2. Another test will be by holding a business card in front of the face so able to read it. The card and the head will be moved in opposite directions (initially horizontally for 1 minute then vertically) keeping the words in focus. 3. Other test will be Head fixed, object fixed & eye balls and Head, object & eye balls moving. This will be done for 1 minute each. After each exercise there will a rest time for 1 minute Conventional Treatment Subject will be made to perform a series of head movements horizontally, gradually faster, as if expressing a “no”, keeping a fixed gaze on a point ahead. When the maximum frequency of the movement is reached, the subject stops and, 10 seconds later, restarts the procedure, that must be repeated ten times. Next, the series of movements must be done vertically, as if the subject expresses a “Yes” with the head.
Institutions
- Maharishi Markandeshwar University, MullanaHaryana, Ambāla