Researchers from China’s Henan Institute of Science and Technology have discovered that music may have a role to play in the battle against motion sickness. In a new study, they analysed the effect of different kinds of music on the common condition and explained which genre works best.
While some people consider the journey to be an integral part of their travel experience, for others, that journey is less joyful. Approximately one in three people suffer from the very common condition that is motion sickness and are constantly on the lookout for new treatments that may alleviate their symptoms.
A new study by scientists from China’s Henan Institute of Science and Technology, published in Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, may have found an ingenious solution. Based on previous research proving that music can alleviate negative emotions such as tension, they decided to study whether or not music might therefore have a positive effect on how one experiences motion sickness.
In order to study the phenomenon, the researchers collected Electroencephalogram (EEG) data from 30 subjects in a simulated driving environment. Based on this, they constructed a motion sickness recognition model, which achieved accurate identification of passenger motion sickness states.
Once the model was ready, the researchers looked at the effects of four types of music on the participants. Joyful, sad, stirring, and soft music was put to the test and compared with a control group.
“Motion sickness significantly impairs the travel experience for many individuals, and existing pharmacological interventions often carry side-effects such as drowsiness. Music represents a non-invasive, low-cost, and personalised intervention strategy,” said Dr Qizong Yue of Southwest University, China, corresponding author of the article in Frontiers in Human Neuroscience.
The results were promising. The data showed that soft and joyful music alleviated the participants’ symptoms, with an average reduction of 56.7 and 57.3%, respectively. Passionate and sad music showed an average reduction of 48.3 and 40%. It is important to note that the alleviation effect of sad music was lower than that of the control group, which had an average reduction of 43.3%.
“Based on our conclusions, individuals experiencing motion sickness symptoms during travel can listen to cheerful or gentle music to achieve relief. The primary theoretical frameworks for motion sickness genesis apply broadly to sickness induced by various vehicles. Therefore, the findings of this study likely extend to motion sickness experienced during air or sea travel,” Dr Yue added.
Due to the relatively small sample size of the study, however, the statistical power of the study remains limited. The authors therefore find that research with larger samples is necessary to validate EEG patterns as a quantitative indicator of motion sickness and to better understand the impact of music on motion sickness.
Studies using real-life circumstances rather than simulators might also give a more realistic image. The authors will further investigate their findings by studying different forms of travel sickness while also looking at the role played by personal musical taste.
For those suffering from motion sickness, however, listening to joyful music while travelling might not be such a bad thing to try in the meantime.
