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A new study from Southwest University in China suggests that listening to soft music can help alleviate motion sickness. Researchers conducted experiments with 30 participants who were prone to motion sickness using a driving simulator. They monitored the participants' brain activity with electroencephalogram (EEG) caps while playing different types of music, including soft, joyful, passionate, and sad music.
The study found that soft and joyful music provided the most relief, reducing motion sickness symptoms by 56.7% and 57.3%, respectively. Passionate music offered moderate relief, reducing symptoms by 48.3%. However, sad music was less effective than no music at all, reducing symptoms by only 40%, compared to a 43.3% reduction in the control group that listened to no music.
Dr. Qizong Yue, the study's corresponding author, explained that music offers a non-invasive, low-cost, and personalized way to manage motion sickness without the side effects of traditional medications. According to Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, the EEG data showed changes in the occipital lobe's brain activity, which is linked to visual processing, during motion sickness. The study suggests that soft music may relax tension, while joyful music could activate the brain's reward systems, providing a distraction from the discomfort.
Despite these promising findings, researchers acknowledge the study's limitations due to its small sample size and the need for further research in real-life conditions. They plan to explore different types of motion sickness and the role of personal music preferences in future studies.