Prospective study on the efficacy of optokinetic training in the treatment of seasickness.

OBJECTIVES

Seasickness corresponds to all of the clinical symptoms experienced by a subject at sea related to boat movements. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of optokinetic training versus placebo in the treatment of seasickness.

MATERIAL AND

METHODS

Fifteen subjects were randomized to either an optokinetic training arm or a placebo arm. The impact of seasickness was evaluated for each subject before and after optokinetic training using the Graybiel scale.

RESULTS

Among the trained subjects, 71.4% were improved by optokinetic training versus 12.5% of control subjects. A significant difference was observed for Graybiel scores before and after optokinetic training in the training arm.

CONCLUSION

Optokinetic training appears to be an effective modality for the management of disabling seasickness. This training can be further improved by more global patient management.