Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in
Book cover

Principles of Clinical Medicine for Space Flight pp 211–222Cite as

Space and Entry Motion Sickness

  • Chapter

One of the most significant clinical and operational challenges experienced by spaceflight crews during the first few days in microgravity is space motion sickness (SMS) [1–3]. SMS was among the first adverse medical conditions encountered by humans as they ventured outside of Earth’s gravity. Because of SMS, decreased human performance is the main risk during the critical first days of space flight. Activities typically performed early that may be disrupted include payload activation, satellite deployment, rendezvous, and docking. SMS symptoms—particularly malaise, loss of initiative, and nausea—can range from being mildly distracting to physically debilitating.

Physiologic systems operate effectively by maintaining homeostasis across a broad range of physiologic functions in Earth’s 1-G environment. Exposure to the microgravity environment of space flight elicits a large collection of physiologic changes and symptoms (including headward fluid shifts, headaches, back pain, and cardiovascular, bone, and muscle changes) that is collectively referred to as space adaptation syndrome. SMS may be considered a component of space adaptation syndrome. Over time, individuals adapt to the weightless environment, and many initial physiologic changes return to normal 1-G values. SMS is not a sickness as such, but it is generally thought to be a natural response to the adaptation of the neurosensory and perceptual systems to microgravity [4]. Individuals who exhibit symptoms of SMS should therefore not be viewed as abnormal.

The next four subsections are a review of the signs, symptoms, laboratory findings, epidemiology, and neurophysiology of SMS and EMS. Next, theories of etiology and possible mechanisms involved in motion sickness are briefly discussed. Finally, the last two sections describe the diagnosis and treatment of SMS and EMS.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.

Chapter
USD   29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD   189.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD   249.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Learn about institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  1. Davis JR, Jennings RT, Beck BG, et al. Treatment efficacy of intramuscular promethazine for space motion sickness. Aviat Space Environ Med 1993; 64:230-233.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Jennings RT. Managing space motion sickness. J Vestib Res 1998; 8:67-70.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Reschke MF, Harm DL, Parker DE, et al. Neurophysiological aspects: Space motion sickness. In: Nicogossian AE, Leach Huntoon C, Pool SL (eds.), Space Physiology and Medicine, 3rd edn. Philadelphia, PA: Lea and Febiger; 1994:228-260.

    Google Scholar 

  4. Reschke MF, Kornilova LM, Harm DL, et al. Neurosensory and sensory-motor function. In: Leach Huntoon CS, Antipov VV, Grigoriev AI (eds.), Humans in Space Flight. Vol. 3, Book 1. Reston, VA: American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics; 1996:135-193. Nicogossian AE, Mohler SR, Gazenko OG, Grigoriev AI (series eds.), Space Biology and Medicine.

    Google Scholar 

  5. Gillingham KK, Previc FH. Spatial orientation in flight. In: DeHart RL (ed.), Fundamentals of Aerospace Medicine. Balti-more, MD: Williams & Wilkins; 1996:309-397.

    Google Scholar 

  6. Harm DL. Physiology of motion sickness symptoms. In: Cramp-ton GH (ed.), Motion and Space Sickness. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, Inc.; 1990:153-177.

    Google Scholar 

  7. Matsnev EI, Yakovleva IY, Tarasov IK, et al. Space motion sick-ness: Phenomenology, countermeasures, and mechanisms. Aviat Space Environ Med 1983; 54:312-317.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Oman CM, Lichtenberg BK, Money KE, et al. MIT/Canadian vestibular experiments on the Spacelab-1 mission: 4. Space motion sickness: Symptoms, stimuli, and predictability. Exp Brain Res 1986; 64:316-334.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Thornton WE, Linder BJ, Moore TP, et al. Gastrointestinal motil-ity in space motion sickness. Aviat Space Environ Med 1987; 58: A16-A21.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Thornton WE, Moore TP, Pool SL, et al. Clinical characterization and etiology of space motion sickness. Aviat Space Environ Med 1987; 58:A1-A8.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Gorgiladze GI, Bryanov II. Space motion sickness. Kosm Biol Aviakosm Med 1989; 23:4-14.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Lackner JR, Graybiel A. Head movements in non-terrestrial force environments elicit motion sickness: Implications for the etiology of space motion sickness. Aviat Space Environ Med 1986; 57:443-448.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Lackner JR, Graybiel A. Head movements in low and high force environments elicit motion sickness: Implications for space motion sickness. Aviat Space Environ Med 1987; 58:A212-A217.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Lackner JR, Graybiel A, DiZio PA. Altered sensorimotor control of the body as an etiologic factor in space motion sickness. Aviat Space Environ Med 1991; 62:765-771.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Drummer C, Stromeyer H, Reipl RL, et al. Hormonal changes after parabolic flight: Implications on the development of motion sickness. Aviat Space Environ Med 1990; 61:821-828.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Rose BD. Acid base physiology. In: Rose BD (ed.), Clinical Physiology of Acid-Base and Electrolyte Disorders. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill; 1994:274-299.

    Google Scholar 

  17. Rose BD. Regulation of acid-base balance. In: Rose BD (ed.), Clinical Physiology of Acid-Base and Electrolyte Disorders. New York, NY: McGraw Hill; 1994:300-345.

    Google Scholar 

  18. Leach CS. Fluid control mechanisms in weightlessness. Aviat Space Environ Med 1987; 58:A74-A79.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Kohl RL, Homick JL. Motion sickness: A modulatory role for the central cholinergic nervous system. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 1983; 7:73-85.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Lathers CM, Charles JB, Bungo MW. Pharmacology in space. Part 2. Controlling motion sickness. Trends Pharmacol Sci 1989; 10:243-250.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Leach CS, Reschke MF. Biochemical correlates of neurosensory changes in weightlessness, 40th Congress of the International Astronautical Federation, Malaga, Spain, 1989. International Astronautical Federation.

    Google Scholar 

  22. Leach Huntoon C, Cintron NM, Whitson PA. Endocrine and bio-chemical functions. In: Nicogossian AE, Leach Huntoon C, Pool SL, (eds.), Space Physiology and Medicine, 3rd edn. Philadel-phia, PA: Lea & Febiger; 1994:334-350.

    Google Scholar 

  23. Leach CS. Biochemical and hematological changes after short-term space flight. Microgravity Quarterly. 1991; 2:69-75.

    Google Scholar 

  24. Hawkins WR, Zieglschmid JF. Clinical aspects of crew health. In: Johnston RS, Dietlein LF, Berry CA (eds.), Biomedical Results of Apollo. Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office; 1975:43-81. NASA SP-368.

    Google Scholar 

  25. Davis JR, Vanderploeg JM, Santy PA, et al. Space motion sick-ness during 24 flights of the space shuttle. Aviat Space Environ Med 1988; 59:1185-1189.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. Homick JL. Motion sickness: General background and methods, Space Adaptation Syndrome Drug Workshop, Houston, TX, 1985. Space Biomedical Research Institute, USRA Division of Space Biomedicine.

    Google Scholar 

  27. Dietlein LF. Summary and conclusions. In: Johnston RS, Dietlein LF, Berry CA (eds.), Biomedical Results of Apollo. Washington DC: U.S. Government Printing Office; 1975:571-579. NASA SP-368.

    Google Scholar 

  28. Jennings RT, Davis JR, Santy PA. Comparison of aerobic fitness and space motion sickness in the space shuttle program. Aviat Space Environ Med 1988; 58:448-451.

    Google Scholar 

  29. Simanonok KE, Kohl RL, Charles JB. The relationship between space sickness and preflight diet. Physiologist 1993; 36:S90-S91.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  30. Homick JL. Space motion sickness. Acta Astronautica 1979; 6:1259-1272.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  31. Kennedy RS, Graybiel A, McDonough RC, et al. Symptom-atology under storm conditions in the North Atlantic in control subjects and in persons with bilateral labyrinthine defects. Acta Otolaryngol 1968; 66:533-540.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  32. Igarashi M. Role of the vestibular end organs in experimental motion sickness: A primate model. In: Crampton GH (ed.), Motion and Space Sickness. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, Inc.; 1990:43-48.

    Google Scholar 

  33. Crampton GH. Neurophysiology of motion sickness. In: Cramp-ton GH (ed.), Motion and Space Sickness. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, Inc.; 1990:29-42.

    Google Scholar 

  34. Guignard JC, McCauley ME. The accelerative stimulus for motion sickness. In: Crampton GH (ed.), Motion and Space Sick-ness. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, Inc.; 1990:123-152.

    Google Scholar 

  35. Dobie TG, May JG. Cognitive-behavioral management of motion sickness. Aviat Space Environ Med 1994; 65:C1-C2.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  36. Mirabile CS. Motion sickness susceptibility and behavior. In: Crampton GH (ed.), Motion and Space Sickness. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, Inc.; 1990:391-410.

    Google Scholar 

  37. Kohl RL. Mechanisms of selective attention and space motion sickness. Aviat Space Environ Med 1987; 58:1130-1132.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  38. Oman CM, Lichtenberg BK, Money KE. Space motion sickness monitoring experiment: Spacelab-1. In: Crampton GW (ed.), Motion and Space Sickness. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, Inc.; 1990:217-246.

    Google Scholar 

  39. Lackner JR, DiZio P. Altered sensory-motor control of the head as an etiological factor in space-motion sickness. Percept Mot Skills 1989; 68:784-786.

    Google Scholar 

  40. Johnson WH, Mayne JW. Stimulus required to produce motion sickness. Restriction of head movements as a preventative of airsickness-field studies on airborne troops. J Aviat Med 1953; 56:152-157.

    Google Scholar 

  41. Stott JRR. Adaptation to nauseogenic motion stimuli and its application in the treatment of airsickness. In: Crampton GH (ed.), Motion and Space Sickness. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, Inc.; 1990:373-390.

    Google Scholar 

  42. Welch RP. Adaptation of space perception. In: Boff KR, Kaufman L, Thomas JP (eds.), Handbook of Perception and Human Per-formance. Vol. 1. New York, NY: John Wiley & Sons; 1986:24-1-24-45.

    Google Scholar 

  43. Davis JE, Jennings RT, Beck BG. Comparison of treatment strategies for space motion sickness. Acta Astronautica 1993; 29:587-591.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  44. Swisher S, Usher D, Andreae M, et al. Space in the Twenty First Century: Imperatives for the Decades of 1995-2015. Task Group on Life Sciences, National Research Council. Washington, DC: National Academy Press; 1988.

    Google Scholar 

  45. Bryanov II, Gorgiladze GI, Kornilova LN, et al. Vestibular function. In: Gazenko OG (ed.), Results of Medical Research Performed on the Salyut 6-Soyuz Orbital Scientific Research Complex. Moscow: Meditsina; 1986:169-185, 248-256.

    Google Scholar 

  46. Kornilova LN, Muller KH, Chernobylskiy LM. Phenomenology of illusory reactions in weightlessness. Fiziologiia Cheloveka 1995; 21:50-62.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  47. Berry CA. View of human problems to be addressed for long duration space flights. Aerospace Med 1973; 44:1136-1146.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  48. Yates BJ, Miller AD. Vestibular-Autonomic Regulation: CRC Press, Inc.; 1996:266.

    Google Scholar 

  49. Reason JT, Brand JJ. Motion Sickness. London: Academic Press; 1975.

    Google Scholar 

  50. Parker DE, Parker KL. Adaptation to the simulated stimu-lus rearrangement of weightlessness. In: Crampton GH (ed.), Motion and Space Sickness. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, Inc.; 1990:247-262.

    Google Scholar 

  51. Harm DL, Parker DE. Perceived self-orientation and self-motion in microgravity, after landing and during preflight adaptation training. J Vestib Res 1993; 3:297-305.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  52. Harm DL, Parker DE, Reschke MF, et al. Relationship between selected orientation rest frame, circular vection and space motion sickness. Brain Res Bull 1998; 47:497-501.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  53. Graybiel A, Lackner JR. Comparison of susceptibility to motion sickness during rotation at 30 rpm in the earth-horizontal 10° head-down position. Aviat Space Environ Med 1977; 48:7-11.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  54. Graybiel A, Lackner JR. Rotation at 30 rpm about the z-axis after 6 hours in the 10° head-down position: Effect on susceptibility to motion sickness. Aviat Space Environ Med 1979; 50:390-392.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  55. Leach CS, Alfrew CP, Suki WN, et al. Regulation of body fluid compartments during short term spaceflight. J Appl Physiol 1996; 81:105-116.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  56. Buckey JC, Gaffney FA, Lane LD, et al. Central venous pressure in space. J Appl Physiol 1996; 81:19-25.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  57. Kornilova LN, Yakovleva IY, Tarasov IK, et al. Vestibular dys-function in cosmonauts during adaptation to zero-g and readap-tation to 1g. Physiologist 1983; 26:S35-S40.

    Google Scholar 

  58. von Baumgarten RJ, Welzig J, Vogel H, et al. Static and dynamic mechanisms of space vestibular malaise. Physiologist 1982; 25: S33-S36.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  59. von Baumgarten RJ, Thumler RR. A Model for Vestibular Func-tion in Altered Gravitational States, Open Meeting of the Work-ing Group on Space Biology and Symposium on Gravitational Physiology, Life Sciences and Space Research, Innsbruck, Austria; 1978. Vol. XVII.

    Google Scholar 

  60. Diamond SG, Markham CH. Ocular torsion in upright and tilted positions during hypo- and hypergravity of parabolic flight. Aviat Space Environ Med 1988; 59:1158-1162.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  61. Diamond SG, Markham CH, Money KE. Instability of ocular torsion in zero gravity: Possible implications for space motion sickness. Aviat Space Environ Med 1990; 61:899-905.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  62. Diamond SG, Markham CH. Prediction of space motion sick-ness susceptibility by disconjugate eye torsion in parabolic flight. Aviat Space Environ Med 1991; 62:201-205.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  63. Berry CA. Medical care of space crews (Medical care, equip-ment, and prophylaxis). In: Talbot JM, Genin AM (eds.), Space Medicine and Biotechnology. Vol. 3. Washington, DC: National Aeronautics and Space Administration; 1975:345-371. NASA SP-374. Calvin M, Gazenko OG (series eds.), Foundations of Space Biology and Medicine.

    Google Scholar 

  64. Wood CD, Graybiel A. Evaluation of sixteen anti-motion sick-ness drugs under controlled laboratory conditions. Aerospace Med 1968; 39:1341-1344.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  65. Attias J, Gordon C, Ribak J, et al. Efficacy of transdermal sco-polamine against seasickness: A 3-day study at sea. Aviat Space Environ Med 1987; 58:60-62.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  66. Offenloch K, Zahner G, Dietlein G, et al. Comparative in-flight study of a scopolamine-containing membrane plaster versus dimenhydrinate under defined acceleration conditions. Arz-neimittelforschung 1986; 36:1401-1406.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  67. Wood CD, Manno JE, Manno BR, et al. The effect of antimotion sickness drugs on habituation to motion. Aviat Space Environ Med 1986; 57:539-542.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  68. Graybiel A. Space motion sickness: Skylab revisited. Aviat Space Environ Med 1980; 51:814-822.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  69. Hordinsky JR, Schwertz E, Beier J, et al. Relative efficacy of the proposed space shuttle antimotion sickness medications. Acta Astronautica 1982; 6:375-383.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  70. Lackner JR, Graybiel A. Use of promethazine to hasten adapta-tion to provocative motion. J Clin Pharmacol 1994; 34:644-648.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  71. Reschke MF. Statistical prediction of space motion sickness. In: Crampton GH (ed.), Motion and Space Sickness. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, Inc.; 1990:263-316.

    Google Scholar 

  72. Harm DL, Parker DE. Preflight adaptation training for spatial orientation and space motion sickness. J Clin Pharmacol 1994; 34:618-627.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  73. Harm DL, Reschke MF, Parker DE. Visual-vestibular integra-tion: Motion perception reporting. In: Sawin CF, Taylor GR, Smith WL (eds.), Extended Duration Orbiter Medical Project. NASA/SP-1999-534. Houston, TX: NASA Johnson Space Center; 1999:5.2-1-5.2-12.

    Google Scholar 

  74. Lapayev EV, Vorobyev OA. The Problem of Vestibular Physiol-ogy in Aerospace Medicine and Prospects for Its Solution, Space Biology and Aerospace Medicine: 8th All-Union Conference, Kaluga; 1986. Nauka, Moscow.

    Google Scholar 

  75. Reschke MF, Parker DE, Harm DL, et al. Ground-based training for the stimulus rearrangement encountered during space flight. Acta Oto-Laryngologica (Stockholm) 1988; 460(Suppl.):87-93.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  76. Ramsey HR. Human factors and artivicial gravity: A review. Hum Factors 1971; 13:533-542.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  77. Bagian JP, Ward DF. A retrospective study of promethazine and its failure to produce the expected incidence of sedation during space flight. J Clin Pharmacol 1994; 34:649-651.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. United States Air Force, San Antonio, TX, USA

    Hernando J. Ortega M.D.,M.P.H.

  2. NASA Johnson Space Center, Houston, TX, USA

    Deborah L. Harm Ph.D.

Authors
  1. Hernando J. Ortega M.D.,M.P.H.
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Deborah L. Harm Ph.D.
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. NASA Johnson Space Center, Houston, TX, USA

    Michael R. Barratt M.D.,M.S.  & Sam L. Pool M.D.  & 

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2008 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Ortega, H.J., Harm, D.L. (2008). Space and Entry Motion Sickness. In: Barratt, M.R., Pool, S.L. (eds) Principles of Clinical Medicine for Space Flight. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-68164-1_10

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-68164-1_10

  • Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-0-387-98842-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-0-387-68164-1

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation