Mal de debarquement syndrome (MDDS): clinical features

Written and reviewed by Dr Ibrahim Imam, Consultant Neurologist. Last reviewed .

Mal de debarquement syndrome (MDDS): clinical features. This is a sensation of rocking, bobbing, swaying or bouncing. Fully referenced neurology checklist.

Clinical features

  • This is a sensation of rocking, bobbing, swaying or bouncing
  • It typically follows sea travel but it may occur after plane, train, and car travel
  • It develops immediately after disembarkation in about 45% of cases
  • It develops within one hour of disembarkation in 80% of cases
  • The symptoms occur whilst walking or lying down
  • They are exacerbated by eye closure, head tilt, and lying down

Demographic features

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Onset types

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Classification

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Diagnostic criteria

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Associated physical features

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Associated neuropsychiatric features

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Differential diagnosis

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Outcomes

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References

  1. Saha KC, Fife TD. Mal de debarquement syndrome: review and proposed diagnostic criteria. Neurol Clin Pract June 2015; 5:209-215.
  2. Cha YH. Mal de debarquement. Semin Neurol 2009; 29:520-527. 
  3. Van Ombergen A, Van Rompaey V, Maes LK, Van de Heyning PH, Wuyts FL. Mal de debarquement syndrome: a systematic review. J Neurol 2016; 263:843-854.
  4. Cha YH, Brodsky J, Ishiyama G, Sabatti C, Baloh RW. Clinical features and associated syndromes of mal de debarquement. J Neurol 2008; 255:1038-1044. 
  5. Mucci V, Canceri JM, Brown R, et al. Mal de debarquement syndrome: a survey on subtypes, misdiagnoses, onset and associated psychological features. J Neurol 2018; 265:486-499. 
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