Layout 1 2nd Congress on Motion Sickness, August 12th - 15th 2025, Akureyri, Iceland Eur J Transl Myol 35 (s1) 14424, 2025 doi: 10.4081/ejtm.2025.14424 - 1 - 2nd Congress on Motion Sickness. August 12th - 15th 2025, Akureyri, Iceland Hannes Petersen,1,2 Paolo Gargiulo,3,4 John F Golding,5,6 Philippe Perrin,7,8,9 Måns Magnusson,10,11 Fabiano Bini12 1Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland; 2Department of ORL Head and Neck Surgery, Akureyri Hospital, Akureyri, Iceland; 3Institute of Biomedical and Neural Engineering, Reykjavik University, Reykjavik, Iceland; 4Department of Science, Landspitali University Hospital, Reykjavik, Iceland; 5Department of Psychology, University of Westminster, United Kingdom; 6Department of Movement and Balance, Division of Neuroscience and Psychological Medicine, Imperial College London, United Kingdom; 7Research Unit DevAH – Development, Adaptation and Handicap, Faculty of Medicine, University of Lorraine, Vandoeuvre-les-Nancy, France; 8Laboratory for the Analysis of Posture, Equilibrium and Motor Function (LAPEM), University Hospital of Nancy, Vandoeuvre-lès-Nancy, France; 9Department of Pediatric Otolaryngology, University Hospital of Nancy, Vandoeuvre-les-Nancy, France; 10Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery and Audiology, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark; 11Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden; 12Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy. This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial License (CC BY-NC 4.0) which permits any noncommercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author(s) and source are credited. 2nd Congress on Motion Sickness, August 12th - 15th 2025, Akureyri, Iceland Eur J Transl Myol 35 (s1) 14424, 2025 doi: 10.4081/ejtm.2025.14424 Relevance of motion sickness Motion sickness, in all its forms, remains a universal human challenge. Whether it is seasickness that plagued the Vikings as they crossed the North Atlantic, carsickness affecting millions of daily commuters, or cybersickness emerging with the rapid growth of immersive digital tec- hnologies, motion-induced discomfort continues to shape how humans travel, work, and interact with their environ- ments. It is estimated that up to one-third of people ex- perience significant motion sickness under certain conditions, while nearly everyone is susceptible given suf- ficient stimulus intensity. Such prevalence makes motion sickness not a niche concern, but a global issue at the int- ersection of health, safety, and performance. In professional contexts, motion sickness has critical consequences. For example, naval personnel, pilots, astro- nauts, offshore workers, and even surgeons using robotic or virtual interfaces must perform with high precision in environments where motion-induced discomfort could impair concentration and operational ability. In everyday life, children experience high rates of carsickness, commuters struggle with nausea on buses and trains, and virtual reality users often abandon otherwise promising applications due to cybersickness. The costs are personal, economic, and societal. Motion sickness in global context The Icelandic setting for this congress provides a particul- arly resonant backdrop. As a nation built upon seafaring traditions, Icelanders have long faced the realities of mo- tion sickness. Fishermen and sailors remain at risk during voyages that underpin the country’s economy and cultural heritage. This lived experience emphasizes the urgency of advancing scientific solutions that not only reduce dis- comfort but also safeguard performance and safety. Globally, the problem has broadened. Beyond seasickness and carsickness, the rise of autonomous vehicles, com- mercial spaceflight, and extended reality technologies (XR) introduces entirely new domains where motion sick- ness can emerge. For autonomous vehicles, passenger comfort and trust are essential for adoption. In space exp- loration, motion sickness continues to threaten mission performance during critical phases of travel. In the virtual domain, cybersickness challenges the adoption of VR/AR in healthcare, training, education, and entertainment. Thus, Iceland hosts this congress not just as a symbolic center of maritime history but as an international hub where researchers, clinicians, and innovators unite to add- ress one of humanity’s oldest yet most pressing physio- logical challenges. Scientific frontiers in motion sickness research Over decades, research into motion sickness has evolved from descriptive accounts to highly sophisticated, inter- disciplinary investigations. Several critical frontiers now define the field: i) quantitative evaluation – traditional reli- ance on subjective reporting is now complemented by advanced biosignal monitoring, neuroimaging, and mach- ine learning approaches. These enable real-time assess- ment of motion sickness onset, progression, and recovery; ii) pathophysiological understanding – competing theories of sensory conflict, postural instability, and vestibular-au- tonomic interaction continue to guide inquiry. Advances in neuroscience, including electroencephalography (EEG) and connectivity analyses, promise a more precise und- erstanding of underlying processes; iii) technological co- untermeasures – from pharmacological interventions to novel behavioral, sensory, and cognitive strategies, rese- archers are exploring ways to mitigate symptoms without compromising alertness or function; iv) applied settings – investigations now span ships, aircraft, cars, trains, and virtual environments, reflecting the wide-reaching impact of motion sickness. Studies in autonomous vehicles, for example, explore prediction and mitigation strategies crucial for future mobility systems; v) individual differen- ces – research increasingly accounts for age, sex, genetic predispositions, and psychological traits, moving toward personalized predictions of susceptibility and intervention strategies. By addressing these frontiers, the Congress aims to bridge fundamental science with practical application, ensuring that theoretical insights translate into real-world benefits. Congress theme and objectives The theme of this congress, “Quantitative evaluation of motion sickness,” highlights the growing importance of objective, reproducible measures in advancing the field. Quantification allows researchers to compare findings ac- ross studies, develop predictive models, and evaluate the effectiveness of interventions. Without robust evaluation methods, progress risks being fragmented and anecdotal. The objectives of the congress are threefold: i) to foster innovation by bringing together experts from neurosci- ence, physiology, psychology, engineering, and clinical practice; ii) to inspire collaboration across national and disciplinary boundaries, ensuring that discoveries in one domain inform progress in others; ii) to translate science into application by linking laboratory findings to challen- ges in transportation, healthcare, and technology design. Through lectures, discussions, and interactive sessions, participants will gain exposure to cutting-edge techniques while sharing their own advances in research and practice. The role of interdisciplinary collaboration Motion sickness research exemplifies the necessity of int- erdisciplinary science. Understanding the condition requi- res expertise in vestibular physiology, neurocognitive processes, biomechanics, pharmacology, psychology, and ergonomics. At the same time, addressing the problem in real-world settings calls upon engineering, design, and industry collaboration. For example, the design of autonomous vehicle interiors cannot ignore insights from vestibular science. Similarly, VR hardware and software developers must engage with - 2 - 2nd Congress on Motion Sickness, August 12th - 15th 2025, Akureyri, Iceland Eur J Transl Myol 35 (s1) 14424, 2025 doi: 10.4081/ejtm.2025.14424 neuroscientists to reduce cybersickness and ensure user safety. The congress thus creates a rare platform for cross- sector dialogue, uniting clinicians, scientists, engineers, and industry leaders. Human, societal, and economic impact The importance of this congress also lies in recognizing motion sickness as not merely a personal inconvenience but a societal challenge with economic and human imp- lications. Productivity losses, mission failures, and dec- reased technology adoption all translate into measurable costs. In transport and logistics, motion sickness can di- rectly threaten safety. In digital technologies, unresolved cybersickness risks are stalling entire industries. By in- vesting in motion sickness research, societies invest in safer, more comfortable, and more efficient systems. Looking ahead The International Congress on Motion Sickness in Akur- eyri offers not only a space for presenting cutting-edge findings but also for shaping the research agenda for years to come. By prioritizing quantitative evaluation, embrac- ing interdisciplinary collaboration, and situating the con- versation in a culturally resonant location, this congress underscores the enduring relevance of motion sickness research. Participants are encouraged to approach this gathering not only as a scientific meeting but also as a call to action: to push forward understanding, to design effective counter- measures, and to ensure that future generations—whether sailors, astronauts, commuters, or virtual explorers—can navigate the world without the burden of motion sickness. Key words Motion sickness, postural control, virtual reality, quantita- tive control, balance disorders, biomarkers, electromyog- raphy (EMG), electroencephalography. Conflict of interest The authors declare no conflict of interest. Corresponding author Paolo Gargiulo, Institute of Biomedical and Neural Eng- ineering, Reykjavik University, Reykjavik, Iceland. ORCID ID: 0000-0002-5049-4817 E-mail: paolo@ru.is Co-authors Hannes Petersen ORCID ID: 0000-0002-2327-523X E-mail: hpet@hi.is John F Golding ORCID ID: 0000-0003-0971-9508 E-mail: goldinj@westminster.ac.uk Philippe Perrin ORCID ID: 0000-0002-4381-0850 E-mail: philippe.perrin@univ-lorraine.fr Måns Magnusson ORCID ID: 0000-0002-4266-1996 E-mail: mans.magnusson@med.lu.se Fabiano Bini ORCID ID: 0000-0002-5641-1189 E-mail: fabiano.bini@uniroma1.it Disclaimer All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their af- filiated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher. Submitted: 10 September 2025. Accepted: 23 September 2025. - 3 - mailto:paolo@ru.is mailto:hpet@hi.is mailto:goldinj@westminster.ac.uk mailto:mans.magnusson@med.lu.se mailto:fabiano.bini@uniroma1.it