Effect of breathing supplemental oxygen on motion sickness in healthy adults.

OBJECTIVE

To compare the effects of breathing supplemental oxygen vs air on alleviating motion sickness in healthy adults.

SUBJECTS AND

METHODS

Between April and July 2002, 20 healthy subjects were exposed to a provocative motion on 2 occasions (1-week interval) according to a randomized, counterbalanced, crossover design. During motion, subjects rated their nausea (1, no symptoms, to 4, moderate nausea) every 30 seconds. Once mild nausea occurred, subjects began breathing supplemental oxygen or air through a face mask. Motion ceased when moderate nausea occurred, but subjects continued breathing study gases for 5 minutes while recovering. Recovery was assessed for 20 minutes after motion.

RESULTS

There were no significant differences in the rate of increase in symptom severity or the rate of recovery between the 2 conditions.

CONCLUSION

Breathing supplemental oxygen had no advantage over breathing air in reducing motion sickness in healthy adults.