Vestibulo-Ocular Reflex Function in Individuals With Chronic Motion Sensitivity Cross-Sectional Study

Chronic motion sensitivity refers to a sensation of unwellness caused by physical or discerned motion and has a prevalence of 28% in the general population and it is more common in women (27.3%) compared to men.

The investigators theorize that individuals with chronic motion sensitivity will have an impaired inner ear reflex and will be less physically active. Hence, the purpose of this study is to;

1. Determine whether the function of an inner ear reflex is different between young adults with/without chronic motion sensitivity
2. Assess relationships between reflex function and balance in young adults with/without CMS
3. Assess relationships between physical activity and balance in young adults with/without CMS.

Study Overview

• Status: Recruiting
• Conditions: Motion Sickness

Detailed Description

Chronic motion sensitivity (CMS), also known as motion sickness, refers to a sensation of unwellness caused by physical or discerned motion. CMS has a prevalence of 28% in the general population and it is more common in women (27.3%) compared to men.

Based on established evidence that individuals with chronic motion sensitivity demonstrate impaired postural stability with vestibular system impairment adjudged to be an inciting stimulus for chronic motion sensitivity, and individuals who practiced more physical and sporting activities have less motion sickness susceptibility than individuals who did not, the investigators theorize that individuals with chronic motion sensitivity will have an impaired inner ear reflex, causing them to be more reliant on other sensory systems like their muscles and joints, and their vision, we also theorize that individuals who are physically active will be less susceptible to chronic motion sensitivity.

The purpose of this study is to;

1. Determine whether the function of an inner ear reflex is different between young adults with/without chronic motion sensitivity
2. Assess relationships between reflex function and balance in young adults with/without CMS
3. Assess relationships between physical activity and balance in young adults with/without CMS.

Participants between the age of 20 and 40 with and without a self-reported history of chronic motion sensitivity (i.e, experiencing nauseousness and/or dizziness during while using various means of transportation such as, car, train, bus, boat, and airplane and/or, recreational fun-fair rides and/or when exposed to conflicting visual images). Participants will be excluded if they report a medical diagnosis of central nervous system disorder, impaired cervical spine range of motion, migraines, seizure disorder, vestibular dysfunction, or any musculoskeletal dysfunction that can limit their participation in the study.

• Study Type: Observational
• Enrollment (Estimated): 60

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• United States
  • California
    • Loma Linda, California, United States, 92350
      • Recruiting
      • Loma Linda University
      • Contact: Eric G Johnson, DSc; Phone Number: 47471 909-558-4632; Email: ejohnson@llu.edu
      • Contact: Pabl0 Mleziva, DPT; Phone Number: 85690 (909) 558-4632; Email: pmleziva@llu.edu

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: N/A

• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Participants will be recruited from Loma Linda University and surrounding communities. The study will be conducted in the Loma Linda University Physical Therapy Department's Neuroscience Research Laboratory. Participants between the age of 20 and 30 with and without a self-reported history of chronic motion sensitivity (i.e, experiencing nauseousness and/or dizziness during while using various means of transportation such as, car, train, bus, boat, and airplane and/or, recreational fun-fair rides and/or when exposed to conflicting visual images)

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age 20-40
• With and without a history of CMS

Exclusion Criteria:

• CNS disorder
• Impaired cervical spine ROM
• Migraines
• Seizures
• Vestibular dysfunction
• Musculoskeletal dysfunction
• Medications causing dizziness

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Number of groups / cohorts

2

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort
Chronic Motion sensitivity group; Participants with a self-reported history of chronic motion sensitivity and who scored greater than or equal to the 30th percentile on the Motion sickness susceptibility questionnaire short form.
Non-Chronic Motion sensitivity Group; Participants without a self-reported history of chronic motion sensitivity and who scored less than or equal to the 25th percentile on the Motion sickness susceptibility questionnaire short form.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Bertec vision advantage	Scores on 4 parametters- Baseline visual acuity (Logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution LogMAR)- A measure of optotype size with lower values signifying smaller optotype size and better vision with the head static, Visual processing time (Mili seconds) this is the time taken to identify the size of the optotype, Dynamic visual acuity (Logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution LogMAR)-A measure of optotype size with lower values signifying smaller optotype size and better vision with the head dynamic, Gaze stability test (Degrees per second), this is the highest speed at which the participant can identify the optotype while the head is moving.	1 day
Computerized dynamic posturography with immersion virtual reality	Average scores under 2 conditions- Condition one- Eye open, Stable platform, Condition 2 Eye open, sway referenced platform. Each condition measured gives a score known as the equillibrum score measured as age matched normative data with higher scores signifying stronger balance , and a lower scores signifying weaker balance	1 day

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
International Physical activity questionaire short form	Questionaire to assess physical activity	1 day

Other Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Motion sickness susceptibility questionnaire short form	Questionnaire used to asses motion sickness susceptibility	1 day

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Loma Linda University

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): September 30, 2023
• Primary Completion (Estimated): March 23, 2024
• Study Completion (Estimated): March 23, 2024

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: October 25, 2023
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: November 7, 2023
• First Posted (Estimated): November 13, 2023

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Estimated): November 13, 2023
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: November 7, 2023
• Last Verified: November 1, 2023

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Chronic motion sensitivity
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Immune System Diseases; Hypersensitivity; Motion Sickness
• Other Study ID Numbers: IRB# 5230167

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: UNDECIDED

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No