Motion sickness symptoms may be reduced by the Valsalva maneuver : a pilot study
Isenberg, Asher Lou ; Rogalla, Louie ; Klokker, Mads and Magnusson, Måns LU
(2026)
In Acta Oto-Laryngologica
146(6).
p.749-756
- Abstract
Background: Motion sickness (MS) is a common complaint during most modes of travel. Several medications can be used to treat MS but are often accompanied by side-effects. Objective: To assess whether performing the Valsalva manoeuvre can influence the subjective feeling of MS in healthy individuals. Methods: We included 16 healthy participants (4 female) that underwent two sessions of MS induction through off-vertical axis rotation (OVAR) using the Epley Omniax Chair. Participants were randomized to do the Valsalva manoeuvre during either their first or second rotation. We assessed MS symptoms using the Motion Sickness Assessment Questionnaire (MSAQ) at baseline (pre-rotation) and at 0-, 10- and 30-minutes post-rotation. Results: MS... (More)
Background: Motion sickness (MS) is a common complaint during most modes of travel. Several medications can be used to treat MS but are often accompanied by side-effects. Objective: To assess whether performing the Valsalva manoeuvre can influence the subjective feeling of MS in healthy individuals. Methods: We included 16 healthy participants (4 female) that underwent two sessions of MS induction through off-vertical axis rotation (OVAR) using the Epley Omniax Chair. Participants were randomized to do the Valsalva manoeuvre during either their first or second rotation. We assessed MS symptoms using the Motion Sickness Assessment Questionnaire (MSAQ) at baseline (pre-rotation) and at 0-, 10- and 30-minutes post-rotation. Results: MS symptoms at 0-minutes post-rotation were significantly lower in participants who did the Valsalva manoeuvre during their first rotation when measured on the MSAQ (p = 0.016). This effect was not present if the Valsalva manoeuvre was done on the second rotation. Conclusions: The Valsalva manoeuvre demonstrates potential in mitigating the development of MS symptoms evoked by OVAR.
(Less)
- author
- Isenberg, Asher Lou
; Rogalla, Louie
; Klokker, Mads
and Magnusson, Måns
LU
- publishing date
- 2026
- type
- Contribution to journal
- publication status
- published
- keywords
- enteric nervous system, Motion sickness nausea, vagal stimulation, Valsalva maneuver
- in
- Acta Oto-Laryngologica
- volume
- 146
- issue
- 6
- pages
- 749 - 756
- publisher
- Taylor & Francis
- external identifiers
-
- pmid:41778329
- scopus:105032104342
- ISSN
- 0001-6489
- DOI
- 10.1080/00016489.2026.2633264
- language
- English
- LU publication?
- no
- additional info
- Publisher Copyright: © 2026 Acta Oto-Laryngologica AB (Ltd).
- id
- 4db4ce2c-34c8-491b-9f04-28d2dce5524b
- date added to LUP
- 2026-04-25 11:13:19
- date last changed
- 2026-08-31 02:55:48
@article{4db4ce2c-34c8-491b-9f04-28d2dce5524b,
abstract = {{<p>Background: Motion sickness (MS) is a common complaint during most modes of travel. Several medications can be used to treat MS but are often accompanied by side-effects. Objective: To assess whether performing the Valsalva manoeuvre can influence the subjective feeling of MS in healthy individuals. Methods: We included 16 healthy participants (4 female) that underwent two sessions of MS induction through off-vertical axis rotation (OVAR) using the Epley Omniax Chair. Participants were randomized to do the Valsalva manoeuvre during either their first or second rotation. We assessed MS symptoms using the Motion Sickness Assessment Questionnaire (MSAQ) at baseline (pre-rotation) and at 0-, 10- and 30-minutes post-rotation. Results: MS symptoms at 0-minutes post-rotation were significantly lower in participants who did the Valsalva manoeuvre during their first rotation when measured on the MSAQ (p = 0.016). This effect was not present if the Valsalva manoeuvre was done on the second rotation. Conclusions: The Valsalva manoeuvre demonstrates potential in mitigating the development of MS symptoms evoked by OVAR.</p>}},
author = {{Isenberg, Asher Lou and Rogalla, Louie and Klokker, Mads and Magnusson, Måns}},
issn = {{0001-6489}},
keywords = {{enteric nervous system; Motion sickness nausea; vagal stimulation; Valsalva maneuver}},
language = {{eng}},
number = {{6}},
pages = {{749--756}},
publisher = {{Taylor & Francis}},
series = {{Acta Oto-Laryngologica}},
title = {{Motion sickness symptoms may be reduced by the Valsalva maneuver : a pilot study}},
url = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00016489.2026.2633264}},
doi = {{10.1080/00016489.2026.2633264}},
volume = {{146}},
year = {{2026}},
}