Changes in Electroencephalography Activity of Sensory Areas Linked to Car Sickness in Real Driving Conditions.

Eléonore H Henry,Clément Bougard,Christophe Bourdin,Lionel Bringoux

doi:10.3389/fnhum.2021.809714

Abstract

Car sickness is a major concern for car passengers, and with the development of autonomous vehicles, increasing numbers of car occupants are likely to be affected. Previous laboratory studies have used EEG measurements to better understand the cerebral changes linked to symptoms. However, the dynamics of motion in labs/simulators differ from those of a real car. This study sought to identify specific cerebral changes associated with the level of car sickness experienced in real driving conditions. Nine healthy volunteers participated as front passengers in a slalom session inducing lateral movements at very low frequency (0.2 Hz). They were continuously monitored via EEG recordings and subjectively rated their level of symptoms after each slalom, using a 5-point likert scale. Car-sickness symptoms evolved concomitantly with changes in theta and alpha power in the occipital and parietal areas. These changes may reflect altered sensory integration, as well as a possible influence of sleepiness mitigating symptoms.

Highlights

Motion sickness is common when the body is exposed to particular kinds of movement during passive locomotion in vehicles, especially in land vehicles (Reason and Brand, 1975; Lacount et al, 2009; Green, 2016)
Post hoc analyses reveal a significant increase in all ratings during the slalom period compared to baseline
Stopping the slalom during the recovery period induced a significant decrease in the ratings (–38% vs. RT++; p < 0.01), which returned to baseline level

Summary

Introduction

Motion sickness is common when the body is exposed to particular kinds of movement during passive locomotion in vehicles, especially in land vehicles (Reason and Brand, 1975; Lacount et al, 2009; Green, 2016). A physiological response to such movement gradually induces evolving symptoms, from mild stomach aches or headaches to dizziness, nausea, and eventually vomiting (Green, 2016; Dennison, 2017). The most common form of land transportation, induce a specific form of motion sickness referred to as car sickness (Murdin et al, 2011), where passengers are the most likely to develop symptoms (Diels and Bos, 2015). The current development of autonomous vehicles, whose drivers will become passengers in their own vehicle, may well increase the number of car occupants affected.

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Conclusion