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Peer-reviewed research

The science behind reducing motion sickness

Motion Relief is based on peer-reviewed research showing that visuospatial brain training can reduce motion sickness symptoms by 51–58% over 14 days. This page walks through the evidence behind the program.

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51–58%

Motion sickness reduction

After 14 days of training (Smyth 2020)

40%

Spatial skill improvement

Mental Rotation Test scores, same study

14

Days of training

~15 minutes per day

900+

Exercises in the program

Across 10 progression levels
Primary research

The Smyth (2020) study

The program is based on research published in Transportation Research Part F. Participants completed 14 days of pen-and-paper visuospatial exercises (~15 min/day), then had their motion sickness measured in a driving simulator and on a real road.

Peer-reviewed · Published 2020
Visuospatial training reduces motion sickness susceptibility

Transportation Research Part F: Traffic Psychology and Behaviour

Read the full study

58%

On-road reduction

After 14 days

51%

Simulator reduction

After 14 days

40%

Spatial skill gain

Mental Rotation Test

46%

Fewer dropouts

From motion sickness

Simulator Sickness Questionnaire (SSQ) scores

Simulator Sickness Questionnaire scores pre and post training
All symptom categories — nausea, oculomotor, disorientation — significantly reduced post-training.

Dropouts due to motion sickness

Dropouts due to motion sickness pre and post training
Participants stopping the simulator due to symptoms: down 46% after training.

Fast Motion Sickness (FMS) scores over time

FMS scores throughout simulator driving scenario
FMS scores reported throughout the 29-minute simulator scenario — the trained group stayed consistently lower than the control group.

“After training, participants’ Mental Rotation Test scores improved by approximately 40%, accompanied by a 51–58% reduction in motion sickness severity.”

— Smyth, M. (2020). Transportation Research Part F: Traffic Psychology and Behaviour.
Supporting evidence

Visuospatial training in other domains

The same type of spatial training studied in motion sickness research also shows effects in STEM education, surgical performance, and cognitive health — suggesting broad benefits from the same underlying mechanism.

3×
VR mental rotation improvement

VR-based spatial training tripled MRT scores on average and approximately halved SSQ motion sickness scores, supporting the Smyth findings in a virtual environment.

Wang et al. (2023), Frontiers in Virtual Reality
77%
Engineering graduation rate

Sorby's spatial training course raised women's engineering graduation from 47% to 77% and improved introductory STEM grades — demonstrating far transfer to academic performance.

Sorby et al. (2018), AAEE Proceedings
52%
Surgical error reduction

In a randomized trial with 41 surgical residents, a single 45-minute spatial training session cut robotic-suturing errors by 52%.

Luko et al. (2020), Journal of Minimally Invasive Gynecology
Large gains
Cognitive health in older adults

VR-based spatial training improved spatial memory and executive functioning in older adults, suggesting hippocampal plasticity and possible protection against age-related decline.

Merriman et al. (2022), Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience
The mechanism

How visuospatial training works

Motion sickness happens when your brain can't reconcile conflicting signals from your eyes and vestibular system. Visuospatial training strengthens the brain networks responsible for resolving this conflict.

Neural efficiency

Spatial practice increases parietal-frontal connectivity, reducing the metabolic cost of spatial processing and improving speed.

Sensory re-weighting

Better spatial prediction lowers the vestibular/visual conflict signal — the core mechanism behind reduced motion sickness.

Cognitive reserve

Engaging hippocampal navigation circuits builds resilience that can carry over to different motion environments over time.

Far transfer

Spatial schemas scaffold motion prediction, math reasoning, and hand-eye coordination — enabling benefits across real-world domains.

Research references

Smyth, M. (2020). Visuospatial training reduces motion sickness susceptibility. Transportation Research Part F: Traffic Psychology and Behaviour. Link ↗

Wang, F. et al. (2023). VR-based spatial cognitive training alleviates motion sickness. Frontiers in Virtual Reality. Link ↗

Sorby, S. A. et al. (2018). Spatial skills and engineering problem-solving. AAEE Proceedings. Link ↗

Luko, L. et al. (2020). Spatial skill training for robotic surgery. Journal of Minimally Invasive Gynecology. Link ↗

Merriman, N. A. et al. (2022). CityQuest spatial training improves memory in older adults. Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience. Link ↗

Start with a free assessment

A 2-minute quiz that identifies your motion sickness type, triggers, and susceptibility level. No purchase required.

Take the free assessment