EFFECTIVENESS OF VESTIBULAR AND SENSORY ADAPTATION EXERCISES IN PEDIATRIC MOTION SICKNESS MANAGEMENT: A MULTI-CENTERED STUDY

Abstract

Motion sickness is a prevalent condition in children, often leading to discomfort and functional impairment. While pharmacological treatments exist, they may cause undesirable side effects, highlighting the need for effective, non-pharmacological alternatives. This study evaluates the efficacy of vestibular exercises, optokinetic stimulation, and imaginary play therapy in reducing motion sickness symptoms in children. A quasi-experimental study was conducted with 45 children (ages 6–12 years) diagnosed with motion sickness, randomly assigned to three intervention groups: (A) optokinetic stimulation, (B) vestibular exercises, and (C) imaginary play therapy. Each intervention was administered over four weeks, and the Motion Sickness Assessment Questionnaire (MSAQ) was used to assess pre- and post-intervention symptom changes. Results indicated that vestibular exercises led to the most significant symptom reduction, with a mean MSAQ improvement of 58.90 points, followed by optokinetic stimulation and imaginary play therapy. The findings emphasize the role of vestibular adaptation in motion sickness management and highlight the potential of exercise-based interventions for pediatric populations. Vestibular exercises proved to be the most effective non-pharmacological approach, supporting their integration into clinical practice as a primary intervention. Further research is needed to optimize exercise protocols and explore multimodal strategies for enhanced efficacy.