Motion Sickness, SpaceVIMSNCT07318142
Virtual Reality in the Rehabilitation of Visually Induced Motion Sickness
A study testing The effects of virtual reality exposure were assessed using posturography. in people with Motion Sickness, Space and Visually Induced Motion Sickness, run by Istanbul Aydın University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
Trial summary
In recent years, rapidly advancing virtual reality (VR) technology has been widely used in many fields, from education to health and from entertainment to therapeutic applications, by creating interactive and highly immersive digital environments. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 30 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Motion Sickness, Space, Visually Induced Motion Sickness, Vestibular Rehabilitation in MS
- What is being tested?
- The effects of virtual reality exposure were assessed using posturography.
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 46 participants
- Where
- 1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
- Study dates
- 21 Jun 2024to 15 Oct 2025
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 to 30 years
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- General Inclusion Criteria (n = 46)
- Aged between 18 and 30 years
- No history of otologic surgery
- No history of orthopedic surgery related to the lower extremities
- No claustrophobia
- Female participants not in menstrual or premenstrual periods
Show all 15Show fewer
- No diagnosed neurological disorders/diseases (e.g., MS, epilepsy, cerebrovascular accident, etc.)
- No diagnosed peripheral vestibular pathologies such as Meniere's disease, BPPV, or vestibular neuritis (participants' lack of peripheral vestibular pathology confirmed by audiovestibular vHIT testing)
- No spontaneous nystagmus
- Study Group (21.8 ± 2.9 years, n = 23) Inclusion Criteria
- VIMSSQ Questionnaire:
- Participants answered "occasionally" or "frequently" to Question 2
- Control Group (23.7 ± 3.3 years, n = 23) Inclusion Criteria
- GUHHYSA Questionnaire:
- Participants answered "never" to Question 2
Who cannot join
- History of otologic surgery
- History of orthopedic surgery in the lower extremities
- Presence of claustrophobia
- Female participants in menstrual or premenstrual periods
- Diagnosed neurological disorders/diseases (e.g., MS, epilepsy, cerebrovascular accident, etc.)
- Diagnosed peripheral vestibular pathologies such as Meniere's disease, BPPV, or vestibular neuritis (as confirmed by audiovestibular vHIT testing)
- Presence of spontaneous nystagmus
- Participants who did not sign the informed consent form
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
Turkey (Türkiye)1 site
Istanbul Aydin University
Istanbul, Istanbul, 34295
About this study
Official title: Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Vestibular Rehabilitation With Virtual Reality Systems in Individuals With Visually Induced Motion Sickness
In recent years, rapidly advancing virtual reality (VR) technology has been widely used in many fields, from education to health and from entertainment to therapeutic applications, by creating interactive and highly immersive digital environments. However, the increasing use of VR systems has also been associated with physiological side effects. One of these is Visually Induced Motion Sickness (VIMS), a syndrome characterized by symptoms such as eye strain, fatigue, dizziness, headache, and nausea, especially when individuals experience a sense of motion in virtual environments despite physical immobility. VIMS is thought to occur due to sensory conflicts among the visual, vestibular, and motor systems, and its severity may vary depending on individual factors and the intensity of the visual motion cues.
The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of a VR-based vestibular rehabilitation program on symptoms associated with VIMS. The VR stimuli consist of real travel videos available on the YouTube VR platform. To enhance familiarity and the sense of presence, 360° videos depicting scenes from Istanbul, Turkey were selected and categorized based on difficulty level.
Read more
The study includes two groups: a control group of healthy individuals and an experimental group of individuals diagnosed with VIMS. All participants undergo baseline assessments. The experimental group receives a VR-based vestibular rehabilitation program for 4 weeks, delivered twice per week, with each session lasting 30 minutes. The intervention uses a VR headset and consists of progressively challenging visual motion stimuli.
The effectiveness of the intervention will be evaluated using both subjective and objective outcome measures, including the Simulator Sickness Questionnaire (SSQ), visual analog scale (VAS) symptom ratings, and static posturography assessments (Balance Screening and Limits of Stability - Reaction Time). Pre- and post-intervention assessments will be compared within and between groups to determine the impact of the rehabilitation program.
This study is designed to contribute to the understanding of VR-based vestibular rehabilitation approaches and to support the development of safer and more effective VR applications.
Read the detailed description
This prospective single-arm interventional study was designed to evaluate the effects of a virtual reality (VR)-based rehabilitation program in individuals with visually induced motion sickness (VIMS). Following baseline assessment, participants underwent a structured VR rehabilitation protocol over a four-week period.
The intervention consisted of eight supervised sessions, conducted twice weekly, with each session lasting approximately 30 minutes. VR exposure was delivered using a head-mounted display and included visually complex motion stimuli aimed at gradually increasing visual-vestibular tolerance. The difficulty and visual motion intensity were progressed based on participant tolerance throughout the program.
Outcome assessments were performed at baseline and after completion of the intervention period. Postural control was objectively evaluated using static posturography, and symptom severity was monitored using validated subjective assessment tools.
This design allowed for within-subject comparison of pre- and post-intervention outcomes to examine the potential effectiveness of VR-based rehabilitation in reducing VIMS-related symptoms and improving postural stability.
- Being tested
- The effects of virtual reality exposure were assessed using posturography.
- Keywords
- Visually induced motion sickness, virtual reality, vestibular rehabilitation
- Medical subject headings
- Space Motion Sickness
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
The effects of virtual reality exposure were assessed using posturography.Other
The study group (individuals with VIMS) underwent a four-week VR rehabilitation program consisting of 8 sessions, each lasting 30 minutes.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Reality-Based Vestibular Rehabilitation | Experimental | The study group consisted of individuals with visually induced motion sickness (VIMS). Participants underwent a four-week virtual reality-based rehabilitation program consisting of eight sessions (30 minutes per session). The effects of VR exposure were assessed using posturography. Receives: Other: The effects of virtual reality exposure were assessed using posturography. |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Simulator Sickness Questionnaire (SSQ) Total Score Unit of Measure: points (0-42; higher scores indicate worse symptoms) Time Frame: Baseline and 4 weeks
Assessment of VIMS-related symptoms using the Simulator Sickness Questionnaire.
Measured: Time Frame: Baseline and 4 weeks
Secondary outcomes (1)
Visual Analog Scale (VAS) Symptom Score
Self-reported symptom severity using a 0-10 point Visual Analog Scale. Unit of Measure: points (0 = no symptoms, 10 = worst symptoms; higher scores indicate worse symptoms)
Measured: Time Frame: Baseline and 4 weeks
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted5 Jan 2026
- Study start21 Jun 2024
- Primary completion18 Sep 2025
- Study completion15 Oct 2025
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Motion Sickness, SpaceStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Not applicable
- Intervention model
- Single group
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 46 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Istanbul Aydın University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Rukiye Tanisir Disci, Istanbul Aydın University
- Investigators
- Rukiye Tanisir Disci, Principal investigator, Istanbul Aydın University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07318142
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 28/2024
- Acronym
- VIMS
- Status last verified
- Jan 2025
- First submitted
- 21 Nov 2025
- Last updated
- 5 Jan 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- Yes
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- Yes: Anonymized individual participant data that underlie the results of this study, including baseline characteristics, Simulator Sickness Questionnaire scores, static posturography parameters (Balance Screening and Limit of Stability - Reaction Time), and VAS symptom ratings.
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 5 Jan 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Vestibular Rehabilitation With Virtual Reality Systems in Individuals With Visually Induced Motion Sickness
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07318142
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- VIMS / 28/2024
- Keywords
- Visually induced motion sickness, virtual reality, vestibular rehabilitation
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 46 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Istanbul Aydın UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 21 Jun 2024 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 18 Sep 2025 (actual)
- Study completion
- 15 Oct 2025 (actual)
- First posted
- 5 Jan 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
In recent years, rapidly advancing virtual reality (VR) technology has been widely used in many fields, from education to health and from entertainment to therapeutic applications, by creating interactive and highly immersive digital environments. However, the increasing use of VR systems has also been associated with physiological side effects. One of these is Visually Induced Motion Sickness (VIMS), a syndrome characterized by symptoms such as eye strain, fatigue, dizziness, headache, and nausea, especially when individuals experience a sense of motion in virtual environments despite physical immobility. VIMS is thought to occur due to sensory conflicts among the visual, vestibular, and motor systems, and its severity may vary depending on individual factors and the intensity of the visual motion cues.
The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of a VR-based vestibular rehabilitation program on symptoms associated with VIMS. The VR stimuli consist of real travel videos available on the YouTube VR platform. To enhance familiarity and the sense of presence, 360° videos depicting scenes from Istanbul, Turkey were selected and categorized based on difficulty level.
The study includes two groups: a control group of healthy individuals and an experimental group of individuals diagnosed with VIMS. All participants undergo baseline assessments. The experimental group receives a VR-based vestibular rehabilitation program for 4 weeks, delivered twice per week, with each session lasting 30 minutes. The intervention uses a VR headset and consists of progressively challenging visual motion stimuli.
The effectiveness of the intervention will be evaluated using both subjective and objective outcome measures, including the Simulator Sickness Questionnaire (SSQ), visual analog scale (VAS) symptom ratings, and static posturography assessments (Balance Screening and Limits of Stability - Reaction Time). Pre- and post-intervention assessments will be compared within and between groups to determine the impact of the rehabilitation program.
This study is designed to contribute to the understanding of VR-based vestibular rehabilitation approaches and to support the development of safer and more effective VR applications.
Detailed description
This prospective single-arm interventional study was designed to evaluate the effects of a virtual reality (VR)-based rehabilitation program in individuals with visually induced motion sickness (VIMS). Following baseline assessment, participants underwent a structured VR rehabilitation protocol over a four-week period.
The intervention consisted of eight supervised sessions, conducted twice weekly, with each session lasting approximately 30 minutes. VR exposure was delivered using a head-mounted display and included visually complex motion stimuli aimed at gradually increasing visual-vestibular tolerance. The difficulty and visual motion intensity were progressed based on participant tolerance throughout the program.
Outcome assessments were performed at baseline and after completion of the intervention period. Postural control was objectively evaluated using static posturography, and symptom severity was monitored using validated subjective assessment tools.
This design allowed for within-subject comparison of pre- and post-intervention outcomes to examine the potential effectiveness of VR-based rehabilitation in reducing VIMS-related symptoms and improving postural stability.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Not applicable
- Intervention model
- Single group
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 1
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Reality-Based Vestibular Rehabilitation | Experimental | Other: The effects of virtual reality exposure were assessed using posturography.The study group consisted of individuals with visually induced motion sickness (VIMS). Participants underwent a four-week virtual reality-based rehabilitation program consisting of eight sessions (30 minutes per session). The effects of VR exposure were assessed using posturography. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 30 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (15 listed)
- General Inclusion Criteria (n = 46)
- Aged between 18 and 30 years
- No history of otologic surgery
- No history of orthopedic surgery related to the lower extremities
- No claustrophobia
Key exclusion criteria (8 listed)
- History of otologic surgery
- History of orthopedic surgery in the lower extremities
- Presence of claustrophobia
- Female participants in menstrual or premenstrual periods
- Diagnosed neurological disorders/diseases (e.g., MS, epilepsy, cerebrovascular accident, etc.)
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| The effects of virtual reality exposure were assessed using posturography.The study group (individuals with VIMS) underwent a four-week VR rehabilitation program consisting of 8 sessions, each lasting 30 minutes. | Other | Virtual Reality-Based Vestibular Rehabilitation |
Primary outcome
Simulator Sickness Questionnaire (SSQ) Total Score Unit of Measure: points (0-42; higher scores indicate worse symptoms) Time Frame: Baseline and 4 weeks
Time frame: Time Frame: Baseline and 4 weeks
Assessment of VIMS-related symptoms using the Simulator Sickness Questionnaire.
1 secondary outcome
Visual Analog Scale (VAS) Symptom Score
Time frame: Time Frame: Baseline and 4 weeks
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 5 Jan 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: Yes. Anonymized individual participant data that underlie the results of this study, including baseline characteristics, Simulator Sickness Questionnaire scores, static posturography parameters (Balance Screening and Limit of Stability - Reaction Time), and VAS symptom ratings.
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
Rukiye Tanisir Disci principal investigator
Istanbul Aydın University
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing The effects of virtual reality exposure were assessed using posturography. in people with Motion Sickness, Space and Visually Induced Motion Sickness, run by Istanbul Aydın University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 15 inclusion and 8 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 5 Jan 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye). Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Simulator Sickness Questionnaire (SSQ) Total Score Unit of Measure: points (0-42; higher scores indicate worse symptoms) Time Frame: Baseline and 4 weeks (time frame: Time Frame: Baseline and 4 weeks). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 5 Jan 2026; AzTrials last refreshed its copy on 7 Nov 2026.