Vestibulo-Ocular Reflex Function in Individuals with Chronic Motion Sensitivity: A Cross-Sectional Study

Objective: The purpose of this study was to 1) determine whether vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) integrity is different between young adults with and without chronic motion sensitivity (CMS); 2) assess the correlation between VOR integrity and postural stability in young adults with and without CMS; and 3) compare postural stability across different levels of physical activity in young adults with and without CMS. Design: Cross-sectional study design. Methods: Forty healthy young adult men and women (ages 20-40 years) were stratified into CMS and non-CMS groups. VOR integrity was assessed using Bertec Vision Advantage (BVA). Postural stability was assessed using computerized dynamic posturography with immersion virtual reality (CDP-IVR) conditions 1 and 2. Physical activity was assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire short form (IPAQ-SF). Results: There were no significant differences in median baseline visual acuity, visual processing time, dynamic visual acuity test, dynamic visual acuity lines lost, or gaze stability test between the CMS and non-CMS groups (p>0.05). Also, there was no significant correlation between VOR integrity and postural stability in participants with and without CMS (p>0.05). Lastly, there was no significant interaction between physical activity and equilibrium score for Conditions 1 and 2 (p＝0.775 and 0.152). Conclusions: Our findings showed no significant difference in VOR function in young adults with and without CMS and no significant correlation between VOR function and postural stability in young adults with and without CMS. However, we found that participants with CMS had impaired postural stability.