Vestibular Stimulation for Motion Sickness

Age: 18 - 65

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Mayo Clinic

Disqualifiers: Vestibular disease, Migraine, Balance disorder, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

Duration: 6 weeks

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

The trial aims to improve a technology called galvanic vestibular stimulation (GVS), which might help reduce motion sickness during virtual reality experiences. Participants will test different types of GVS, including the Three-Axis Wearable Adaptive Vestibular Stimulator, while using VR flight simulations and a balance system. The goal is to determine which type of stimulation best eases motion sickness symptoms. The trial seeks individuals who often feel sick or dizzy using VR and can attend sessions in Scottsdale, AZ. Participants should not have a history of severe motion sickness or balance disorders.

As an unphased trial, this study offers a unique opportunity for participants to contribute to innovative research that could enhance VR experiences for many.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.

What prior data suggests that this vestibular stimulation technique is safe for easing motion sickness?

Previous studies have shown that a technique called galvanic vestibular stimulation (GVS) is safe and well-tolerated by patients. Research indicates that GVS can improve balance and spatial memory without worsening symptoms. Both types of GVS are manageable for users.

GVS has been used in various therapies to assist with balance and posture, generally without causing major side effects. This history of use suggests it is safe. However, individual experiences can differ. It is important to consult a healthcare professional about joining clinical trials to understand the potential risks and benefits for each specific situation. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about this trial as it explores a novel approach for relieving motion sickness using a wearable device that provides galvanic vestibular stimulation (GVS). Unlike traditional treatments like medications which can cause drowsiness or other side effects, GVS targets the vestibular system directly, potentially offering a non-invasive and side-effect-free alternative. This trial investigates both negative and positive GVS effects during activities such as virtual reality flight simulations and balance exercises, aiming to better understand how these stimulations can reduce symptoms of motion sickness. This innovative method could pave the way for highly customizable and immediate relief solutions, offering new hope for those frequently affected by this condition.

What evidence suggests that this trial's treatments could be effective for motion sickness?

Research has shown that small electrical currents applied to the inner ear, known as galvanic vestibular stimulation (GVS), can alter the perception of motion. This trial will explore different types of GVS to address motion sickness. Participants in one arm will receive negative GVS during a virtual reality (VR) flight simulation. Some studies suggest this can alter movement perception and might reduce sickness. Another arm will test positive GVS during VR, which might improve balance and lessen feelings of cybersickness. Although researchers are still studying this technology, early results suggest it could be a useful tool for easing dizziness and nausea linked to VR motion sickness. ^{2 4 6 7 8}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Gaurav Pradhan, PhD

Principal Investigator

Mayo Clinic

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for English-speaking adults aged 21 to 55 who can attend sessions in Scottsdale, AZ. It's not for those with vestibular diseases, migraines, severe balance or motion sensitivity issues, or pregnant women.

Inclusion Criteria

I am between 21 and 55 years old and can consent to participate.

I can go to the Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale, AZ for sessions.

I am fluent in English.

Exclusion Criteria

I am currently pregnant.

I have had a disorder affecting my balance.

I have a history of migraines.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive galvanic vestibular stimulation (GVS) during various simulations to assess its effects on motion sickness and spatial disorientation.

6 weeks

Multiple sessions (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

4 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Three-Axis Wearable Adaptive Vestibular Stimulator

Trial Overview The study tests a new wearable device designed to reduce VR-induced motion sickness using Galvanic Vestibular Stimulation (GVS), alongside flight simulations and balance assessments on a force plate system.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Positive GVS During VR Flight Simulation Experimental Treatment 2 Interventions

Subjects will receive positive galvanic vestibular stimulation (GVS) during a flight simulation in virtual reality (VR).

Group II: Positive GVS During 3-DOF Bertec Portable Essential's dual-balance force plate system Experimental Treatment 2 Interventions

Subjects will receive positive galvanic vestibular stimulation (GVS) while utilizing the 3-DOF Bertec Portable Essential's dual-balance force plate system.

Group III: No GVS During VR Flight Simulation Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Subjects will not receive any galvanic vestibular stimulation (GVS) during a flight simulation in virtual reality (VR).

Group IV: No GVS During 3-DOF Bertec Portable Essential's dual-balance force plate system Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Subjects will not receive any galvanic vestibular stimulation (GVS) while utilizing the 3-DOF Bertec Portable Essential's dual-balance force plate system.

Group V: Negative GVS During VR Flight Simulation Experimental Treatment 2 Interventions

Subjects will receive negative galvanic vestibular stimulation (GVS) during a flight simulation in virtual reality (VR).

Group VI: Negative GVS During 3-DOF Bertec Portable Essential's dual-balance force plate system Experimental Treatment 2 Interventions

Subjects will receive negative galvanic vestibular stimulation (GVS) while utilizing the 3-DOF Bertec Portable Essential's dual-balance force plate system.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Mayo Clinic

Lead Sponsor

Trials

3,427

Recruited

3,221,000+

Published Research Related to This Trial

The new multichannel vestibular prosthesis (MVP) is designed to restore vestibular function in individuals with bilateral loss of vestibular sensation, potentially alleviating symptoms like chronic disequilibrium and postural instability.

Improvements in the MVP include a smaller size, lower power consumption, and enhanced electrode design for better nerve coupling, which were validated through both bench-top tests and in vivo experiments with a rhesus macaque monkey.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Design and performance of a multichannel vestibular prosthesis that restores semicircular canal sensation in rhesus monkey. Chiang, B., Fridman, GY., Dai, C., et al.[2021]

The study involved 70 participants (35 with motion sickness and 35 without) aged 18-40, and it found that both groups showed significant differences in their ability to correctly respond to optokinetic and rotational stimuli during the fHIT test.

The results suggest that fHIT can be an effective objective test for diagnosing motion sickness, as individuals with motion sickness were notably affected by these stimuli compared to the control group.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Evaluation of effects of optokinetic and rotational stimuli with functional head impulse test (fHIT) in individuals with motion sickness. Karababa, E., Satar, B., Genç, H.[2023]

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10790896/

Generating Flight Illusions Using Galvanic Vestibular ... Our findings demonstrated that intentionally mismatched GVS can significantly affect motion perception and create flight illusion perceptions during fixed-based ...

2. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06106256

Three-Axis Wearable Adaptive Vestibular Stimulator The purpose of this study is to improve current galvanic vestibular stimulation (GVS) technology to ease the motion sickness often associated with virtual ...

3. nature.com nature.com/articles/s41598-025-02252-z

Effects of noisy galvanic vestibular stimulation on spatial ... Our findings (n=32) suggest that nGVS can significantly improve spatial memory performance, facilitating learning and recollection compared to the without-nGVS ...

4. mdpi.com mdpi.com/2504-463X/6/1/1

Effects of Integrated Virtual Reality and Galvanic Vestibular ... This shows that the Negative GVS, which is in the opposite direction of the OPK visual stimulus, may have caused more disorientation, leading to an increase in ...

5. withpower.com withpower.com/trial/phase-motion-sickness-10-2023-02743

Vestibular Stimulation for Motion Sickness This trial is testing a new wearable device that uses small electrical currents to help people who get motion sickness from virtual reality.

6. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12217160/

Effects of noisy galvanic vestibular stimulation on spatial ... Our findings (n=32) suggest that nGVS can significantly improve spatial memory performance, facilitating learning and recollection compared to the without-nGVS ...

7. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9760994/

Galvanic vestibular stimulation and its applications Galvanic vestibular stimulation is used for peripheral and central vestibular rehabilitation. Galvanic vestibular stimulation partially or totally improves ...

8. link.springer.com link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00221-025-07102-y

Galvanic vestibular stimulation for Mal de Debarquement ... All patients found GVS to be safe and manageable, with no worsening of their symptoms. GVS demonstrated positive trends in posturographic ...