Electroacupuncture Could Reduce Motion Sickness Susceptibility in Healthy Male Adults: A Double-Blinded Study

Abstract

Objective: Motion sickness is the main cause of nausea-related symptoms during passive motion in transportation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) for the reduction of motion sickness symptoms. Materials and Methods: Study participants were randomly assigned into three groups: Group A, therapeutic EA; Group B, sham EA; and group C, a control group. After an EA session, participants were exposed to a motion stimulus, using a rotating chair. Their symptoms were measured using the Greek version of the Gianaros Motion Sickness Assessment Questionnaire (MSAQ). Results: In this study 20 volunteers participated. All 3 groups of subjects showed increases in their motion sickness symptoms after exposure to the motion stimulus. The mean total symptom score for Group A was 59,375, for Group B it was 74,333, and in Group C was it 93,166. This difference is partially statistically significant when comparing Group A with Group C, especially in a peripheral group of symptoms, as measured by the Gianaros MSAQ. Conclusions: The results of the present study suggest that participants who received therapeutic EA prior to motion stimulation tended to have fewer motion sickness symptoms in comparison with their counterparts, who were not given any therapy.