Motion sickness symptoms may be reduced by the Valsalva maneuver: a pilot study.

BACKGROUND

Motion sickness (MS) is a common complaint during most modes of travel. Several medications can be used to treat MS but are often accompanied by side-effects.

OBJECTIVE

To assess whether performing the Valsalva manoeuvre can influence the subjective feeling of MS in healthy individuals.

METHODS

We included 16 healthy participants (4 female) that underwent two sessions of MS induction through off-vertical axis rotation (OVAR) using the Epley Omniax Chair. Participants were randomized to do the Valsalva manoeuvre during either their first or second rotation. We assessed MS symptoms using the Motion Sickness Assessment Questionnaire (MSAQ) at baseline (pre-rotation) and at 0-, 10- and 30-minutes post-rotation.

RESULTS

MS symptoms at 0-minutes post-rotation were significantly lower in participants who did the Valsalva manoeuvre during their first rotation when measured on the MSAQ (p = 0.016). This effect was not present if the Valsalva manoeuvre was done on the second rotation.

CONCLUSIONS

The Valsalva manoeuvre demonstrates potential in mitigating the development of MS symptoms evoked by OVAR.