Is galvanic cutaneous stimulation efficient to avoid Simulator Adaptation Syndrome among older drivers?
Résumé
Driving simulator became a common research tool by allowing researchers to conduct trials in safe and controlled conditions. However, some drivers (and especially the older ones) dropped out experiment because they experienced simulator adaptation syndrome (SAS). SAS is characterized by a general discomfort, nausea, disorientation, and oculomotor disturbances. Its severity can be rated by the simulator sickness questionnaire (SSQ). The aim of this study was to evaluate whether galvanic cutaneous stimulation (GCS) could reduce SAS. GCS consists in low-intensity electric stimulations applied on participant's neck muscles. Two groups of participants were included: 15 participants aged 20 to 30 years and 18 participants aged 65 to 82 years. After a familiarization trial, each participant drove 3 times in the same 8-min urban scenario in 3 different conditions: i) neutral (electrodes were placed on participant's neck but no GCS was sent), ii) curve (GCS was sent during curves and turns), and ii) random (GCS was sent either in curve or in straight road). After each driving scenario, participants completed the SSQ. The results obtained for the younger drivers indicated that SSQ scores were significantly lower during the curve or random conditions than during the neutral condition. These first results revealed that GCS is efficient to reduce SAS among younger drivers. The experiment with the older drivers is in progress, it is expected that these results will be replicated.