Motion Sickness Symptomology and Occurrence Among Visually-Impaired Adults

Introduction

Motion sickness (MS) can be caused by riding/reading on a form of transportation or be visually induced.  MS can cause a variety of symptoms and affect health related quality of life. Assessment of MS may be difficult in VI adults due to travel/reading patterns, visual acuity and variable symptomology.  VI adults were surveyed to assess MS occurrence/symptomology.

Methods

VI patients attending an urban Vision Rehabilitation clinic were surveyed.  MS symptomology was assessed using the ‘Motion Sickness Assessment Questionnaire’.  Dimensions assessed included gastrointestinal, central, peripheral, and sopite-related.

Results

MS was reported in 24.6% (N=73).  Of those, 75% reported MS riding in car.   About one-third (31.4%) reported MS when reading in a car however over half (58.6%) reported not reading in the car due to visual reasons.  Similarly, 26.5% reported MS when reading while taking public transportation and 60.9% reported not reading due to visual reasons.  Over half reported they did not fly or sail (65% and 52.8%).  The large majority (72%) reported not experiencing MS when watching movies.  MS gastrointestinal symptoms were rated the most severe (61.2%) followed by central (46%), sopite (42.6%) and peripheral (40.2%).  

Conclusions:

There were a large number who reported MS. Many did not take forms of transportation or read on the car/bus/train. Most did not experience MS watching a movie.  VI may play a role in these findings.  Professionals/public familiarization with these findings as with MS symptoms is important so that MS can be diagnosed/treated and effect on health related quality of life limited.