[EN]Objective: In a driving simulation, we investigated
the efficacy of galvanic cutaneous stimulation (GCS)
provided during curves or intermittently during the
whole circuit to mitigate simulator syndrome (SS).
Background: The literature on how GCS decreases
SS, although scarce, has demonstrated the effectiveness of
this technique. Stimulation with this and similar techniques
has usually been provided in curves or continuously dur ing the whole circuit but never intermittently. This stimu lation method could generate a continued activation of
processes related to GCS mitigating SS.
Method: Fifteen drivers (8 men; mean age = 25.5
years) participated in this experiment. We compared
the total scores of the Simulator Sickness Question naire (SSQ) across three stimulation conditions: (a)
curve GCS condition, whereby GCS was provided in
curves; (b) intermittent GCS condition, whereby GCS
was provided intermittently during the whole circuit;
and (c) no-stimulation condition, whereby no stimula tion was provided (baseline condition).
Results: The experimental outcomes revealed that
GCS decreased SS in both the curve and intermittent
stimulation conditions.
Conclusion: We provide evidence that GCS is an
effective countermeasure to decrease SS. It could be
applied indifferently in curves or intermittently during
the whole circuit.
Application: For future interventions, we recom mend the use of GCS to mitigate SS with similar intermit tent stimulation programs. These programs have a crucial
advantage as they are easily integrated into the simulator
setup without the necessity of generating a complicated
experimental design to stimulate during the curves.
