Travel sickness in patients attending a geriatric day hospital.

A survey of 172 patients attending a geriatric day hospital revealed that 33 patients (19%) suffered travel sickness at some time. Sixteen (49%) of these patients also had a past history of travel sickness, while only 10 (7%) of those who were not sick gave a positive past history. The use of emergency vehicles for transporting patients may have increased the level of travel sickness. Seven (4%) of the patients had defaulted or considered defaulting on attendance because of the fear of travel sickness. Patients commenced on drug therapy for sickness responded well and experienced few side-effects and no interference with rehabilitation.