Balance – NSBRI http://nsbri.org National Space Biomedical Research Institute Tue, 03 Jan 2017 16:58:08 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=5.5.9 Virtual Reality-Based Pre-Flight Astronaut 3D Navigation Training (First Award Fellowship) http://nsbri.org/researches/virtual-reality-based-pre-flight-astronaut-3d-navigation-training-postdoctoral-fellowship/ Tue, 15 Dec 2015 16:54:03 +0000 http://nsbri.org/researches/virtual-reality-based-pre-flight-astronaut-3d-navigation-training-postdoctoral-fellowship/ Spatial disorientation and navigation problems have been reported by astronauts operating in spacecraft with complex three-dimensional (3D) architecture. These problems can complicate responses to emergencies. In weightlessness, astronauts face various orientations and 3D navigation, but these challenges cannot be simulated in mockups on the ground. NSBRI Postdoctoral Fellow Dr. Hirofumi Aoki has designed a virtual […]

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]]> Spatial disorientation and navigation problems have been reported by astronauts operating in spacecraft with complex three-dimensional (3D) architecture. These problems can complicate responses to emergencies. In weightlessness, astronauts face various orientations and 3D navigation, but these challenges cannot be simulated in mockups on the ground.

NSBRI Postdoctoral Fellow Dr. Hirofumi Aoki has designed a virtual reality-based training method as a countermeasure to inflight spatial disorientation and 3D navigation problems. Subjects perform navigational exercises and emergency egress tasks in a virtual, realistic simulation of the ISS under normal and smoke-obstructed conditions. The results should define procedures for preflight spatial disorientation and navigation training and design standards for future spacecraft.

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]]> Tactile Sensory Supplementation of Gravitoinertial References to Optimize Sensorimotor Recovery http://nsbri.org/researches/tactile-sensory-supplementation-of-gravitoinertial-references-to-optimize-sensorimotor-recovery/ Tue, 15 Dec 2015 16:54:03 +0000 http://nsbri.org/researches/tactile-sensory-supplementation-of-gravitoinertial-references-to-optimize-sensorimotor-recovery/ Following a spaceflight, astronauts often have trouble standing, walking and turning due to the fact they have gone from the zero-gravity environment of space to the normal gravity environment of Earth. Research has shown that electrotactile feedback to the tongue can be used as an aid in keeping a person upright when they are having […]

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]]> Following a spaceflight, astronauts often have trouble standing, walking and turning due to the fact they have gone from the zero-gravity environment of space to the normal gravity environment of Earth. Research has shown that electrotactile feedback to the tongue can be used as an aid in keeping a person upright when they are having sensorimotor problems.

Dr. Franklin O. Black’s project investigated the use of Tongue Electrotactile Feedback (TEF) as a countermeasure to post-flight sensorimotor disturbances. The study focused on the use of TEF as a control for posture and movement, while specifically determining the optimal location of movement sensors on the body (either on a head band or on a torso belt).

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]]> Development of a Gait Adaptability Training Program as a Countermeasure for Post-Flight Locomotor Dysfunction http://nsbri.org/researches/development-of-a-gait-adaptability-training-program-as-a-countermeasure-for-post-flight-locomotor-dysfunction/ Tue, 15 Dec 2015 16:54:03 +0000 http://nsbri.org/researches/development-of-a-gait-adaptability-training-program-as-a-countermeasure-for-post-flight-locomotor-dysfunction/ Following their return to Earth, crewmembers experience disturbances in their ability to walk and maintain postural stability due to neural adaptation to the microgravity conditions of spaceflight. To counter this, Dr. Jacob J. Bloomberg is developing an in-flight Gait Adaptability Training Program to facilitate recovery of locomotor function. In this program, the subject learns to […]

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]]> Following their return to Earth, crewmembers experience disturbances in their ability to walk and maintain postural stability due to neural adaptation to the microgravity conditions of spaceflight. To counter this, Dr. Jacob J. Bloomberg is developing an in-flight Gait Adaptability Training Program to facilitate recovery of locomotor function. In this program, the subject learns to solve a class of motor problems rather than a specific motor solution to one problem. To develop the Gait Adaptability Training program, Bloomberg will conduct a ground-based study that will systematically investigate the training efficacy associated with exposing subjects to different combinations of sensory input during treadmill activities including alterations in visual flow, body loading and support surface stability. The goal of this training regimen is to enhance sensorimotor adaptability and facilitate re-adaptation to the gravities of Earth and Mars after long-duration spaceflight.

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]]> Development of Countermeasures to Enhance Sensorimotor Adaptation http://nsbri.org/researches/development-of-countermeasures-to-enhance-sensorimotor-adaptation/ Tue, 15 Dec 2015 16:54:03 +0000 http://nsbri.org/researches/development-of-countermeasures-to-enhance-sensorimotor-adaptation/ Astronauts are subject to sensorimotor disturbances when they enter a new gravity environment, such as the lunar or Mars surface. These disturbances can disrupt their abilities to carry out mission tasks. Previous research has shown training will lead to faster adaptation to new environments. Dr. Jacob Bloomberg and his colleagues are developing a comprehensive training […]

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]]> Astronauts are subject to sensorimotor disturbances when they enter a new gravity environment, such as the lunar or Mars surface. These disturbances can disrupt their abilities to carry out mission tasks. Previous research has shown training will lead to faster adaptation to new environments.

Dr. Jacob Bloomberg and his colleagues are developing a comprehensive training program that will enhance astronauts’ ability to “learn how to learn,” leading to rapid adaptation to a new gravity environment. The team has designed and is testing a unique training system comprised of a treadmill placed on a motion base facing a virtual visual scene that provides a variety of sensory challenges that serve as training modalities to enhance sensorimotor adaptability. The researchers are determining how to optimize training to maximize efficacy, efficiency and retention of the training program.

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]]> Developing Predictive Measures of Sensorimotor Adaptability to Produce Customized Countermeasure Prescriptions http://nsbri.org/researches/developing-predictive-measures-of-sensorimotor-adaptability-to-produce-customized-countermeasure-prescriptions/ Tue, 15 Dec 2015 16:58:12 +0000 http://nsbri.org/researches/developing-predictive-measures-of-sensorimotor-adaptability-to-produce-customized-countermeasure-prescriptions/ The post Developing Predictive Measures of Sensorimotor Adaptability to Produce Customized Countermeasure Prescriptions appeared first on NSBRI.

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]]> Predicting Sensorimotor Adaptation to Altered Gravity by Measuring Vestibular Perceptual Thresholds (First Award Fellowship) http://nsbri.org/researches/predicting-sensorimotor-adaptation-to-altered-gravity-by-measuring-vestibular-perceptual-thresholds-first-award-fellowship/ Tue, 15 Dec 2015 16:58:14 +0000 http://nsbri.org/researches/predicting-sensorimotor-adaptation-to-altered-gravity-by-measuring-vestibular-perceptual-thresholds-first-award-fellowship/ In space exploration missions, astronauts experience a series of altered gravity environments to which they must adapt their sensorimotor systems. While all astronauts eventually adapt, there appear to be large differences between individuals in how quickly and effectively adaptation occurs, which are poorly understood. Being able to predict these differences is critical to help develop […]

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]]> In space exploration missions, astronauts experience a series of altered gravity environments to which they must adapt their sensorimotor systems. While all astronauts eventually adapt, there appear to be large differences between individuals in how quickly and effectively adaptation occurs, which are poorly understood. Being able to predict these differences is critical to help develop personalized training countermeasures and reduce the likelihood sensorimotor impairment impacts mission success and safety.

Dr. Torin K. Clark and colleagues aim to better understand and predict individual differences in sensorimotor adaptation to altered gravity. Specifically, the researchers will test if an individual’s perceptual thresholds (i.e. how small of a motion stimulus can be correctly identified as being motion to the left or right), which are a measure of sensory noise, can predict their adaptation capacity. It is believed that higher sensory noise levels may slow adaptation because the brain cannot as easily distinguish changes in the environment that require adaptation.

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]]> Exercise Effects on Central Nervous System Function and Structure in Bed Rest (First Award Fellowship) http://nsbri.org/researches/exercise-effects-on-central-nervous-system-function-and-structure-in-bed-rest-first-award-fellowship/ Tue, 15 Dec 2015 16:58:16 +0000 http://nsbri.org/researches/exercise-effects-on-central-nervous-system-function-and-structure-in-bed-rest-first-award-fellowship/ Spaceflight results in impairments in gait, balance, and cognition. Preventing these dysfunctions is important in terms of crew health and success of space missions. These adverse effects of spaceflight likely have a central nervous system component considering that experimental studies showed microgravity-induced alterations of neural tissue in motor brain regions. Long-duration bed rest has proven […]

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]]> Spaceflight results in impairments in gait, balance, and cognition. Preventing these dysfunctions is important in terms of crew health and success of space missions. These adverse effects of spaceflight likely have a central nervous system component considering that experimental studies showed microgravity-induced alterations of neural tissue in motor brain regions. Long-duration bed rest has proven to be a good model to study the effects of microgravity on motor performance. Two 70-days bed rest studies with pre, during, and post assessments of which data collection was recently completed focus on: 1) cognition, sensorimotor performance, and the brain using behavioral tests and MRI; and 2) how exercise might counteract microgravity-induced changes in physical fitness, by comparing exercise and control subjects on fitness outcome measures. These studies were being conducted simultaneously using the same subjects. Preliminary results show that bed rest affects motor function and brain structure. Multiple terrestrial studies have shown that aerobic exercise has a positive effect on cognition and brain structure. The current project aims to combine data of the two above-described bed rest studies to formally investigate exercise as a preventive countermeasure for microgravity-induced cognitive, sensorimotor, brain functional and structural changes.

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]]> Somatosensory Suppression and Prevention of Post-Flight Reentry Disturbances of Posture and Locomotion http://nsbri.org/researches/somatosensory-suppression-and-prevention-of-post-flight-reentry-disturbances-of-posture-and-locomotion/ Tue, 15 Dec 2015 16:54:04 +0000 http://nsbri.org/researches/somatosensory-suppression-and-prevention-of-post-flight-reentry-disturbances-of-posture-and-locomotion/ After returning to Earth, astronauts often have trouble standing up and walking. Dr. James R. Lackner and colleagues worked to define and develop countermeasures that could help astronauts overcome post-flight sensorimotor disturbances. Data collected indicated that natural finger contact can help influence the body’s ability to stay oriented, leading to requirements for a hand-held device […]

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]]> After returning to Earth, astronauts often have trouble standing up and walking. Dr. James R. Lackner and colleagues worked to define and develop countermeasures that could help astronauts overcome post-flight sensorimotor disturbances.

Data collected indicated that natural finger contact can help influence the body’s ability to stay oriented, leading to requirements for a hand-held device that could help an astronaut maintain proper orientation. The researchers then investigated if a tactor vest or a tactor system attached to the hand or other body parts could deliver signals to the body to successfully serve as a countermeasure to sensorimotor disturbances.

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]]> Enhancement of Spatial Orientation Capability of Astronauts on the Lunar Surface http://nsbri.org/researches/enhancement-of-spatial-orientation-capability-of-astronauts-on-the-lunar-surface/ Tue, 15 Dec 2015 16:54:18 +0000 http://nsbri.org/researches/enhancement-of-spatial-orientation-capability-of-astronauts-on-the-lunar-surface/ Spatial disorientation occurs when a person has a perception of direction, position and size that does not agree with reality. Sense of such information can have serious consequences for the crew and mission operations. Astronauts will be susceptible to spatial disorientation during lunar mission operations caused by reduced gravity and other factors. Dr. Rongxing (Ron) […]

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]]> Spatial disorientation occurs when a person has a perception of direction, position and size that does not agree with reality. Sense of such information can have serious consequences for the crew and mission operations. Astronauts will be susceptible to spatial disorientation during lunar mission operations caused by reduced gravity and other factors.

Dr. Rongxing (Ron) Li leads a project to develop the Lunar Astronaut Spatial Orientation and Information System (LASOIS), which will use a coordinated system of sensors and spatial information visualization techniques to enhance spatial orientation and reduce risks for astronauts during lunar mission operations. In addition to developing the system, Dr. Li and his colleagues will develop training that will enhance the spatial orientation capability for astronauts.

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]]> Psychophysics and Modeling of Spatial Orientation Perception (Postdoctoral Fellowship) http://nsbri.org/researches/psychophysics-and-modeling-of-spatial-orientation-perception-postdoctoral-fellowship/ Tue, 15 Dec 2015 16:54:04 +0000 http://nsbri.org/researches/psychophysics-and-modeling-of-spatial-orientation-perception-postdoctoral-fellowship/ During spaceflight, astronauts are exposed to zero-gravity and also to large G-forces during liftoff and landing. These unusual conditions can lead to false perceptions of body orientation and self-movement. To better understand these experiences, NSBRI Postdoctoral Fellow Dr. Paul MacNeilage is developing a model for spatial orientation perception that can be used to predict and […]

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]]> During spaceflight, astronauts are exposed to zero-gravity and also to large G-forces during liftoff and landing. These unusual conditions can lead to false perceptions of body orientation and self-movement. To better understand these experiences, NSBRI Postdoctoral Fellow Dr. Paul MacNeilage is developing a model for spatial orientation perception that can be used to predict and investigate situations where spatial disorientation is likely to occur. The model uses sensory estimates from the visual and vestibular systems to generate combined estimates of orientation, linear velocity and angular velocity. He will then test predictions of the model in a series of experiments designed to measure performance in a variety of conditions. The results of these experiments could be applied to the development of countermeasures including better cockpit display technology, improved motion simulations, novel pilot training techniques and crew-screening procedures.

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