05 | Motion sickness susceptibility in Icelandic seamen

Seafaring has long been central to Icelandic culture and economy, yet motion-related symptoms are highly prevalent among seamen. Previous research indicates that 88% of Icelandic seafarers have experienced seasickness and 86% have reported mal de débarquement (Arnardottir, Jonsdottir & Petersen, 2022). Motion sickness is not a disease per se, but a collection of symptoms triggered in healthy individuals exposed to motion-rich environments. Susceptibility varies by age, sex, and health status, and is linked to migraine and tension-type headaches (Golding et al., 2006; Peillard et al., 2013; Huppert et al., 2019). The objective of this study was to assess motion sickness susceptibility among Icelandic seamen, examine associations between childhood and adult motion sickness, and explore links with self-reported migraines and headaches. A total of 262 seafarers (96% male; mean age 43.8 years, range 17–84), of whom 78% had more than five years of seafaring experience, completed a questionnaire including the Motion Sickness Susceptibility Questionnaire (MSSQ; Golding, 2006). Statistical analyses included chi-squared tests, t-tests, and one-way ANOVA (α = 0.05). Childhood motion sickness was common, particularly in cars, buses, swings, and amusement rides. Participants reporting symptoms before age 12 were significantly more likely to experience motion sickness and seasickness in adulthood. No associations were found between MSSQ scores and self-reported migraines or tension-type headaches. Despite the high prevalence of childhood motion sickness, adult Icelandic seafarers demonstrated relatively low MSSQ scores, suggesting that individuals with higher susceptibility may self-select out of long-term seafaring careers.