Objectives: Motion sickness (MS) is evoked by the conflict among somatosensory, visual, and vestibular input. Some of the MS symptoms and signs are mediated by activation of the autonomic nervous system (ANS). Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), a maneuver used for pain control, was found to influence cardiovascular responses through ANS reflex, and to enhance motor function, visuospatial abilities, postural control, and cognitive function. The purpose of the present study is to investigate the effects of TENS on MS. Subjects and design: Fifteen (15) healthy young men participated in a within-subjects crossover study. Each completed four test sessions (control, rotation, TENS, TENS+rotation) in randomized order. Rotary chair (120°/s) combined with pitch movement of the subject's head was used as a model to provoke MS. Whole rotation protocol consisted of 5 1-minute rotations, each separated by a 1-minute rest period. TENS protocol involved simultaneous electrical stimulation of posterior neck and Zusanli acupoint. Outcome measures: Motion sickness susceptibility was rated on a standardized questionnaire (Motion Sickness Susceptibility Questionnaire). Motion sickness symptoms, blood pressure (BP), skin temperature, heart rate (HR), and heart rate variability (HRV) were measured. Saliva samples were collected to analyze the level of stress markers. Cognitive function was evaluated with d2 test prior to and after MS provocation. Results: Spinning by itself significantly decreased task response speed and contraction. MS symptom scores, BP, as well as the sympathetic parameter of HRV increased progressively with MS provocation (p<0.05), but skin temperature decreased (p=0.023). Severity of MS symptoms significantly decreased with TENS intervention (p<0.05). After TENS treatment, subjects were able to concentrate better and showed fewer errors in a cognitive test. Salivary cortisol concentration significant decreased after TENS treatment. Conclusions: Sympathetic activity increased but parasympathetic activity decreased during MS. TENS was effective in reducing MS symptoms as well as alleviating cognitive impairment.

Flight simulators have been used to train pilots to experience and recognize spatial disorientation, a condition in which pilots incorrectly perceive the position, location, and movement of their aircrafts. However, during or after simulator training, simulator sickness (SS) may develop. Spatial disorientation and SS share common symptoms and signs and may involve a similar mechanism of dys-synchronization of neural inputs from the vestibular, visual, and proprioceptive systems. Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), a maneuver used for pain control, was found to influence autonomic cardiovascular responses and enhance visuospatial abilities, postural control, and cognitive function. The purpose of present study was to investigate the protective effects of TENS on SS.

(1) Background: Patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) were questioned about quality of life and sleep. Most BPH patients were treated with alpha-1 adrenergic receptor antagonists, which could improve cerebral blood flow for 1–2 months. Patients with ischemic stroke (IS) could experience cerebral autoregulation impairment for six months. The relationship between BPH and recurrent IS remains unclear. The aim of this study was to determine the risk of one-year recurrent IS conferred by BPH. (2) Methods: We used data from the Taiwanese National Health Insurance Database to identify newly diagnosed IS cases entered from 1 January 2008 to 31 December 2008. Patients were followed until the recurrent IS event or 365 days after the first hospitalization. The risk factors associated with one-year recurrent IS were assessed using Cox proportional hazards regression. (3) Results: Patients with BPH had a higher risk of recurrent IS (12.11% versus 8.15%) (adjusted hazard ratio (HR): 1.352; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.028–1.78, p = 0.031). Other risk factors included hyperlipidemia (adjusted HR: 1.338; 95% CI: 1.022–1.751, p = 0.034), coronary artery disease (adjusted HR: 1.487; 95% CI: 1.128–1.961, p = 0.005), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (adjusted HR: 1.499; 95% CI: 1.075–2.091, p = 0.017), and chronic kidney disease (adjusted HR: 1.523; 95% CI: 1.033–2.244, p = 0.033). (4) Conclusion: Patients with BPH who had these risk factors had an increased risk of one-year recurrent IS. The modification of risk factors may prevent recurrent IS.

Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) is a rare, slow growing, locally infiltrative tumor of intermediate malignancy. It is mostly found on the trunk and head, rarely on hands. The course of evaluation and treatment of a young pilot with DFSP on left middle finger is reported. The clinical issues and aeromedical considerations of this rare tumor is discussed.