open access
A comparison of motion sickness prevalence between seafarers and non-seafarers onboard naval platforms
open access
Abstract
Methodology: Cross sectional study using self-administered survey of 503 personnel over the monsoon period from January to April 2001.
Results: The prevalence of motion sickness was distinctly higher in the army (59.2%) personnel compared with the navy (38.3%) over a series of sea states. The most common symptoms were headache, nausea and dizziness. The Motion Sickness Susceptibility Questionnaire was used to score susceptibility and appeared to correlate better among non-seafarers rather than seafarers. The discomfort experienced in one's environment was perceived to contribute towards onset and smoking appeared to be protective against motion sickness. Regular sailing appears to be an important factor in minimising motion sickness.
Conclusion: While we understand motion sickness to be a continuum of physiological responses to the whole body vibration, it is especially apparent among the non-seafarers. Seafarers by themselves will become less susceptible with regular sailing and they are also more cognizant of the modalities available to alleviate symptoms.
Abstract
Methodology: Cross sectional study using self-administered survey of 503 personnel over the monsoon period from January to April 2001.
Results: The prevalence of motion sickness was distinctly higher in the army (59.2%) personnel compared with the navy (38.3%) over a series of sea states. The most common symptoms were headache, nausea and dizziness. The Motion Sickness Susceptibility Questionnaire was used to score susceptibility and appeared to correlate better among non-seafarers rather than seafarers. The discomfort experienced in one's environment was perceived to contribute towards onset and smoking appeared to be protective against motion sickness. Regular sailing appears to be an important factor in minimising motion sickness.
Conclusion: While we understand motion sickness to be a continuum of physiological responses to the whole body vibration, it is especially apparent among the non-seafarers. Seafarers by themselves will become less susceptible with regular sailing and they are also more cognizant of the modalities available to alleviate symptoms.
Keywords
Motion sickness; navy; army; MSSQ; smoking; sea sickness
Title
A comparison of motion sickness prevalence between seafarers and non-seafarers onboard naval platforms
Journal
Issue
Pages
56-65
Published online
2010-03-26
Page views
748
Article views/downloads
4471
Bibliographic record
IMH 2006;57(1-4):56-65.
Keywords
Motion sickness
navy
army
MSSQ
smoking
sea sickness
Authors
Gregory Chan
Shabbir M Moochhala
Bin Zhao
Donna Tan
John Wong