Airsickness Control Using Biofeedback to Self-Regulate Psychophysiological Responses.

Abstract : Investigators of the Neuropsychiatry Branch, Clinical Sciences Division, U. S. Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine (USAFSAM), provided biofeedback-moderated behavioral treatment to 53 fliers grounded for chronic, severe motion sickness, and followed each flier for 2 years after treatment completion. Success was defined as returning to and maintaining satisfactory operational flying status. Forty-two fliers (79%) met this criterion; three (6%) were partially successful, and eight (15%) were subsequently grounded for recurrent airsickness. Follow-on studies will investigate psychophysiological mechanisms through which this method of treatment works. Keywords: Airsickness; Biofeedback; Self-regulated behavior; and Psychophysiological responses.