Skin potential reflex corresponding to transient motion discomfort.

The qualitative and quantitative correspondence between the degree of motion discomfort and the skin potential reflex (SPR) was examined in four subjects. Head movement was provided three times during body rotation at three different angular velocities (Coriolis stimulus) to induce motion discomfort, and at rest as a control. SPRs were caused in the arousal sweat area by head movement. The wave form, latency, time-to-peak, and amplitude of SPR were analyzed. The amplitude of the depolarizing response (P response) of SPR increased proportionally to the angular velocity of body rotation and decreased in the course of repetitive Coriolis stimulation. It was revealed that the amplitude of P response of SPR in the arousal sweat area corresponds to the degree of transient motion discomfort.