Relationship between Subjective and Objective Measures of Simulator-Induced Ataxia.

摘要

Flight simulator training sometimes leads to unwanted aftereffects commonly called simulator-induced sickness. Subjective reports of simulator-induced sickness include loss of balance (ataxia), dizziness, nausea, headache, eyestrain, and general discomfort. Symptoms of balance loss are particularly worrisome because of their potential to compromise safety following simulator training. While the reason flight simulators produce ataxia in some aircrew is not clear, most investigators speculate that it is caused by readaptation of the human spatial orientation system to the real world following adaptation to the artificial environment provided by the simulator. Subjective reports of simulator-induced ataxia are difficult to corroborate using objective tests of balance. Two reasons for this are ceiling and practice effects that occur with objective tests of balance. An attempt was made to overcome these problems. Postural control was assessed subjectively following exposure to a general purpose flight simulator and objectively using four balance tests specifically designed to avoid ceiling effects. The experimental design was intended to control for practice. Subjective reports of disequilibrium following training were verified by only one of the balance tests; the Walk On Rail Eyes Open (WOREO) was reliable in showing loss of postural control. The results suggest that the WOREO should be used as an objective test for studying postural disequilibrium following simulator exposure. Keywords: Canada. (AW)