A research team has found that stimulating the inner ear with a specific sound frequency can help reduce motion sickness. Even a single minute of stimulation reduced the staggering and discomfort felt by people that read in a moving vehicle.
“Our study demonstrated that short-term stimulation using a unique sound called ‘sound spice®’ alleviates symptoms of motion sickness, such as nausea and dizziness,” the research group at Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine said. The researchers found symptoms such as “lightheadedness” and “nausea,” which are often seen with motion sickness, were alleviated with the sound.
“The effective sound level falls within the range of everyday environmental noise exposure, suggesting that the sound technology is both effective and safe,” researcher Takumi Kagawa said.
To test the effectiveness of the devices, they recruited voluntary participants who were exposed to the unique sound. Following the stimulation, motion sickness was induced by a swing, a driving simulator, or riding in a car.
The discovery is an important expansion of recent findings about sound and its effect on the inner ear. Using a mouse model and humans, the researchers identified a unique sound at 100 Hz as being the optimal frequency.
The researchers used postural control, ECG readings, and Motion Sickness Assessment Questionnaire results to assess the stimulation’s effectiveness.
The team also said that sound stimulation can be a safe way to combat motion sickness. “The health risk of short-term exposure to our unique sound is minimal. Given that the stimulus level is well below workplace noise safety standards, this stimulation is expected to be safe when used properly,” Kagwa said.
