Mal de Debarquement
This term literally translates as “sickness of disembarkment,” referring to the illusion of movement felt as an after-effect of travel on water by a ship or boat, or other means of travel – train, car or airplane. Most cases resolve on their own within one year.
Mal de Debarquement is thought to be caused by exposure to an unfamiliar movement and then the cessation of that movement. Ocean travel is the most common precipitating event.
Research has led to the conclusion that Mal de Debarquement is not a condition in the inner ear, but in the brain. The brain adapts to the unfamiliar movement causing it to reweight visual, vestibular and somatosensory information and making it difficult to re-adapt once the movement has stopped.
The most common symptoms of this disorder are swaying, rocking and loss of equilibrium. Stress or fatigue can worsen the symptoms and some report that they feel worse if they are in an enclosed space or lying supine. Case history and postural assessment can be useful in Mal de Debarquement diagnosis.
Motion sickness drugs are usually ineffective. Vestibular rehabilitation in combination with benzodiazepines and certain antidepressants may help symptoms improve or completely resolve.
