Listening to “cheerful and soft” music can help reduce motion sickness, while sad music may be less effective than resting in silence, according to a study by Southwest University in China.
Researchers tested how different types of music affect motion sickness, a condition that can cause headaches, dizziness, nausea and vomiting. They found that music influenced how long it took participants to recover. Optimistic gentle music outperformed resting alone, while resting alone was better than listening to sad music.
“Motion sickness significantly impacts the travel experience for many, and many medications used to treat it have side effects such as fatigue,” said Dr. Yu Kizong, who led the study. “Music provides a noninvasive, inexpensive and personalized treatment option.”
The study involved 40 participants who used a specially designed travel simulator to identify those prone to motion sickness. Thirty reported moderate nausea and were divided into six groups: four received music therapy, one did not hear music, and one stopped immediately when nausea began.
Participants were monitored with electroencephalogram sensors to track brain activity during motion sickness. After establishing baseline activity, participants performed driving tasks and reported their nausea levels. Music groups then listened to music for one minute before reporting nausea again.
Cheerful music reduced nausea by 57.3 percent, soft music by 56.7 percent, and romantic music by 48.3 percent. Sad music was slightly less effective than resting in silence, with recovery rates of 40 percent compared with 43.3 percent.
EEG data showed changes in the occipital lobe as participants experienced nausea, with activity decreasing during significant discomfort and returning to normal as symptoms improved. Researchers suggested soft music may relax participants and reduce stress that triggers nausea, while cheerful music distracts through the brain’s reward system. Sad music may intensify negative feelings and discomfort.
Researchers noted that further study is needed to confirm a clear link between music type and motion sickness relief. “The main limitation of the study is the small sample size, which limits the results and statistical power,” Kizong said.
He added that people prone to motion sickness may benefit from listening to cheerful or soft music, which could also help during flights and boat trips.