The imbalance induced by swing stimulation

• Published in: jibi to rinsho Vol. 46; no. 2; pp. 140 - 146
• Main Author: NODA, Tetsuya
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Japanese
• Published: JIBI TO RINSHO KAI 20.03.2000
• ISSN: 0447-7227; 2185-1034
• DOI: 10.11334/jibi1954.46.2_140

The imbalance induced by swing stimulation was observed in order to analyze the mechanism of motion sickness. Four normal subjects were asked to sit on a stabilometer on a platform, which was repeatedly moved either forward and backward, or in a right and left direction. The length, envelope areas and deviation in the body's center in the X-and Y-axes were observed in the body sway response (BS). The subjects were considered to have abnormal balance, because the BS grossly increased in the same direction as swing stimulation. In a turntable experiment, the BS tended to increase to a greatler extent, when the subjects tilted their head in the same direction as the centrifugal force than when they tilted their heads in the opposite direction. When people take automobiles, trains, ships and so on, it may also be difficult for them to maintain their balance by swing stimulation. An imbalance induced by swing stimulation may thus in have an influence on motion sickness.