Psychophysiological Research Laboratory

Motion sickness poses a significant safety risk, particularly in the context of aviation. Given its prevalence among aviators and its detrimental impact on performance, researchers have attempted to identify effective mitigation strategies for motion sickness. Currently, many of the existing interventions are pharmacological, and while effective, they present a problem due to their associated adverse side effects. Autogenic-Feedback Training Exercise (AFTE) is a physiological training program developed by NASA Ames researchers to mitigate the impact of operational stressors such as motion sickness and spatial disorientation on human physiology and performance. AFTE combines principles of autogenic therapy, and biofeedback in training individuals to control their physiological reactions through a series of relaxation and arousal exercises. It has been used successfully in the treatment of laboratory-induced motion sickness, in pilots suffering from intractable airsickness, and in astronauts who experience space motion sickness (SMS).