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Backed by clinical data, peer-reviewed literature, and ongoing research studies, the MdDS Foundation continues toward the goal of turning research insights into actionable, real-world answers for the MdDS Community. Read on to see how evidence-based research is accelerating targeted treatment solutions!

RESEARCH UPDATES

University of California San Diego (UCSD) Research: Unlocking the Secrets of Mal de Débarquement Syndrome

How does a long voyage trigger a persistent sensation of rocking and swaying? Dr. Akihiro Matsuoka and colleagues at UCSD are finding answers. Supported by an MdDS Foundation grant, his team recently completed an important study tracking US Navy personnel aboard the hospital ship USNS Mercy.

In addition to monitoring the ship’s motion, the researchers used advanced machine learning to analyze outcomes. Their findings revealed that the magnitude and pattern of the ship’s motion in combination with a medical history of migraine and motion sensitivity—are the strongest predictors of who develops a decline in post-voyage cognition and an increase in acute MdDS symptoms. By understanding these conditions and unique traits, researchers can move away from guesswork and closer to early risk identification and targeted, real-world treatment solutions.

Dr. Matsuoka’s Impact at a Glance:

• Research Presentations: Shared MdDS research findings with leading medical professionals and investigators at four national conferences.
• Scientific Papers: Expanded the biomedical literature focused on the impact and risk for MdDS, with two articles already published and one in final review.

These outcomes add to a growing body of evidence-based science. Explore the MdDS Biomedical Literature to appreciate the peer-reviewed research shaping future clinical solutions.

Researcher Spotlight: Akihiro J. Matsuoka, MD, PhD, MMSc, FACS

“Our MdDS Foundation–funded research, including computational modeling of velocity storage, shows that MdDS is not an orphan disorder. It stems from a disruption of a mechanism we understand well across vestibular medicine—and that shared foundation is the path to effective treatment.”

Dr. Matsuoka is a Professor of Otolaryngology/Head & Neck Surgery and Director of the Balance and Vestibular Program at UCSD. He conducts research focused on vestibular disorders and motion-induced symptoms, with a particular focus on velocity storage dysfunction in Mal de Débarquement Syndrome.

In collaboration with Dr. Charlotte Hughes (Naval Medical Center San Diego), his team recently studied acute MdDS-like symptoms in active-duty personnel aboard the USNS Mercy following a Pacific Partnership deployment. They documented that a combination of ship-motion and specific susceptibility factors contributed to the risk of acute post-voyage MdDS. Identification of early risk predictors for MdDS could support actionable prevention and targeted clinical solutions.

Evidence-based Research is Accelerating Targeted Treatment Solutions

MdDS Sensory Adaptation Therapy Study Completed by SVPT

A sensory adaptation program for the treatment of individuals with MdDS was investigated by Sarah Gallagher, PT, DPT, NCS, and colleagues at South Valley Physical Therapy (SVPT) in Denver, Colorado. The research team included Chelsea Van Zytveld, Elliot Gann, Karen Zacharewicz, and Patricia Winkler with funding for the study provided by the MdDS Foundation.

It’s important to note that the majority of patients with MdDS are treated with routine physical therapy or vestibular physical therapy during the course of their disease. However, clinical studies have not described the use of sensory adaptation interventions that simultaneously modify the use of visual, somatosensory, and vestibular input in the treatment of MdDS. The present prospective study by Gallagher, et al, was designed to explore a multi-modal approach that included patient education, sensory adaptation, and functional mobility for the treatment of MdDS.

This clinical study documented the impact of a 3-week intervention. For all participants, clinically meaningful improvements were observed upon completion of the intervention with sustained improvement in 60-70% of participants after 3 months. A full description of the research study and the sensory adaptation program was recently published in the Journal of Neurologic Physical Therapy, “A Sensory Adaptation Program for Individuals With Mal de Débarquement Syndrome: A Case Series”. This peer-reviewed biomedical publication adds essential, evidence-based data to the scientific literature. This clinical project represents a crucial step in translational research, effectively bridging the gap between scientific discovery and practical clinical application. These milestones move clinical care forward by offering findings to shape future treatment strategies.

SVPT Impact at a Glance:

• Research Presentation: neurologic educational session at the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) Combined Sections Meeting held Feb 12-14, 2026 in Anaheim, California.
• Scientific Paper: “A Sensory Adaptation Program for Individuals With Mal de Débarquement Syndrome: A Case Series,” published in 2026 in the Journal of Neurologic Physical Therapy.

Take Action: You can access this and other peer-reviewed papers in our collection of MdDS biomedical literature. Download and share these scientific papers directly with your physical therapists and clinical care teams to ensure your providers are utilizing evidence-based research.

Looking Ahead

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