Assessment of the effectiveness of vestibular rehabilitation in young adults with motion sickness symptoms

Abstract

ABSTRACT Purpose: to verify the effectiveness of vestibular rehabilitation in young adults with motion sickness symptoms. Methods: a quantitative, experimental study with a convenience sample of individuals aged 18 to 40 years with motion sickness symptoms, assessed via questionnaires and body balance evaluation, using the sensory organization test (via foam-laser dynamic posturography). A vestibular rehabilitation program based on the abbreviated Cawthorne and Cooksey protocol was administered. Data analysis compared their performance before and after the intervention. Results: most of the sample reported symptom onset during childhood. Nausea/vomiting was the most prevalent symptom. Cars were the most cited mode of transport triggering symptoms. Most participants reported symptoms when exposed to amusement park rides. The visual analog scale indicated a significant decrease in symptoms. The performance of the somatosensory and vestibular systems, evaluated via posturography, improved significantly. Conclusion: vestibular rehabilitation was effective in young adults presented with motion sickness symptoms.