We evaluated the effects of two laboratory stressors
(speech preparation and isometric handgrip) on gastric
myoelectrical and autonomic cardiac activity, and the extent
to which autonomic responses to these stressors and somatization
predict reports of motion sickness during exposure to a
rotating optokinetic drum. Both stressors prompted a decrease
in preejection period (PEP) and respiratory sinus arrhythmia
(RSA), and an increase in a dysrhythmic pattern of gastric
myoelectrical activity, termed gastric tachyarrhythmia.
Stressor-induced decreases in RSA and higher somatization
scores predicted increased reports of motion sickness during
drum rotation. These results demonstrate that laboratory
stressors concurrently affect gastric myoelectrical activity
and autonomic control of the heart, and that stressor-induced
decreases in RSA and higher levels of somatization predict
motion sickness susceptibility.