Decoding air sickness: Predictive factors and psychological insights

Objectives The pursuit of aviation necessitates a comprehensive and disciplined training regimen for individuals hoping to navigate the vast expanse of the skies. During the course of this training, a significant challenge presents itself in the form of air sickness, which is a physiological reaction that occurs due to sensory incongruity and/or psychological distress experienced during flight. The aim of this paper is to retrospectively analyze the psychological characteristics of air sickness among air force cadets and aviators’ successful and unsuccessful attempts to air sickness desensitization therapy (ASDT) protocol, thereby examining the predictive factors associated with effective outcomes. Material and Methods During a span of 5 years (2019–2023), a total of 35 cases were referred for ASDT at the Institute of Aerospace Medicine. They were administered with a psychological protocol with the study variables of motion sickness assessment, motivation, and personality. Subsequently ASDT was offered consisting of relaxation therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy as per “caseness,” and yielded a success rate of 13 out of 35. Results Significant differences were found between successful and unsuccessful cases in age, motion sickness assessment questionnaire (MSAQ) scores, and specific personality traits (Modesty and Activity). Logistic regression indicated MSAQ scores as a significant predictor of treatment outcome. Conclusion The findings highlight the importance of tailored interventions for air sickness management, emphasizing the role of MSAQ scores and certain psychological traits in predicting ASDT success. This study underscores the need for comprehensive diagnostic and personalized treatment strategies to enhance aviation training outcomes.