Can Balance Predict Motion Sickness?
Review finds postural instability often precedes symptoms, but evidence is mixed on causality
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By
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Henry Thomas
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January 15, 2026
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Clinical Scorecard: Can Balance Predict Motion Sickness?
At a Glance
| Category | Detail |
|---|
| Condition | Motion Sickness |
| Key Mechanisms | Postural instability may precede motion sickness but lacks definitive cause-and-effect evidence. |
| Target Population | Individuals aged 9 to 63 years |
| Care Setting | Clinical and research settings |
Key Highlights
- Postural instability often occurs before motion sickness onset.
- Evidence for a cause-and-effect relationship is currently inadequate.
- Variations in symptom presentation and measurement tools limit comparability.
- Multiple contexts of motion sickness were analyzed, including car sickness and cybersickness.
- Future studies should focus on balance-based interventions and multimodal assessments.
Guideline-Based Recommendations
Diagnosis
- Utilize symptom questionnaires like the Motion Sickness Susceptibility Questionnaire.
Management
- Conduct randomized controlled trials of balance-based interventions.
Monitoring & Follow-up
- Measure postural control using force platforms or balance boards.
Risks
- Inconsistent relationships between postural measures and symptom development.
Patient & Prescribing Data
Participants in studies aged 9 to 63 years.
Balance-based interventions are recommended for future research.
Clinical Best Practices
- Integrate vestibular, visual, and postural measurements in studies.
- Conduct extensive, multicenter, randomized controlled studies.
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