Researchers are investigating the potential of music as a non-invasive treatment for motion sickness, which affects many individuals during travel. A recent study published in the journal Frontiers in Human Neuroscience highlights that listening to soft and joyful music can significantly alleviate symptoms of motion sickness. The findings could pave the way for alternative relief methods, particularly as many existing medications often lead to unwanted side effects such as drowsiness.
The study, led by Qizong Yue from Southwest University in China, involved a driving simulator to induce motion sickness in 30 participants who reported moderate levels of discomfort. Participants were divided into six groups: four listened to varying types of music during recovery, one group did not listen to anything, and another experienced a simulation that ended before nausea developed. Each participant wore an electroencephalogram (EEG) cap to monitor brain activity.
As part of the experiment, participants communicated their levels of nausea after the driving simulation. Following this, they listened to music for 60 seconds, after which they reported their symptoms. The results indicated that joyful music reduced nausea by an impressive 57.3%, while soft music led to a reduction of 56.7%. Passionate music provided a 48.3% reduction, compared to a 43.3% decrease in those who did not listen to music. Interestingly, participants exposed to sad music only experienced a 40% reduction in symptoms.
Understanding the Brain’s Response
The EEG data revealed notable changes in participants’ brain activity, particularly in the occipital lobe, when they reported feeling nauseous. Researchers observed a decrease in the complexity of brain activity associated with significant nausea. As participants began to recover, their brain activity returned to normal levels, suggesting a direct link between music, brain function, and motion sickness relief.
Yue emphasized, “Based on our conclusions, individuals experiencing motion sickness symptoms during travel can listen to cheerful or gentle music to achieve relief.” The study posits that music could relax tensions that exacerbate feelings of nausea and serve as a distraction by activating the brain’s reward systems. Conversely, the negative emotional impact of sad music may worsen general discomfort.
The researchers acknowledged that the relatively small sample size of 30 participants poses a limitation to the study’s conclusions. They noted that the findings may not fully represent real-life conditions, emphasizing the need for more extensive research with larger groups to confirm the observed effects and further explore the relationship between music and motion sickness.
Moving forward, the research team plans to investigate various types of motion sickness and examine how personal music preferences might influence recovery. Additionally, they aim to explore the anecdotal evidence suggesting that singing may help prevent and alleviate motion sickness, an inquiry that could resonate with many travelers who sing along to their favorite tunes during long journeys.
These findings provide an exciting glimpse into a potential new avenue for managing motion sickness, presenting a low-cost, accessible option for those who struggle with this common travel ailment.
