Comparison of treatment strategies for space motion sickness
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Davis, J. R.↗
Engineering topics
Beck, B. G.
Publications and source records attributed to Beck, B. G..
Comparison of treatment strategies for Space Motion Sickness
Treatment strategies for Space Motion Sickness were compared using the results of postflight oral debriefings. Standardized questionnaires were administered to all crewmembers immediately following Space Shuttle flights by NASA flight surgeons. Cases of Space Motion Sickness were graded as mild, moderate or severe based on published criteria, and medication effectiveness was judged based on subjective reports of symptom relief. Since October 1989, medication effectiveness is reported inflight through Private Medical Conferences with the crew. A symptom matrix was analyzed for 19 crewmembers treated with an oral combination of scopolamine and dextroamphetamine (scopdex) and 15 crewmembers treated with promethazine delivered by intramuscular (IM) or suppository routes. Scopdex has been given preflight as prophaxis for Space Motion Sickness but analysis showed delayed symptom presentation in 9 crewmembers or failed to prevent symptoms in 7. Only three crewmembers who took scopdex had no symptoms inflight. Fourteen out of 15 crewmembers treated with IM promethazine and 6 of 8 treated with promethazine suppositories after symptom development had immediate (within 12 h) symptom relief and required no additional medication. There were no cases of delayed symptom presentation in the crewmembers treated with promethazine. This response is in contrast to untreated crewmembers who typically have slow symptom resolution over 72-96 h. We conclude that promethazine is an effective treatment of Space Motion Sickness symptoms inflight. NASA policy currently recommends treating crewmembers with Space Motion Sickness after symptom development, and no longer recommends prophylaxis with scopdex due to delayed symptom development and apparent variable absorption of oral medications during early flight days.
STS Shuttle Project↗
Use of injectable promethazine to decrease symptom scores of Space Motion Sickness
Space motion sickness (SMS) has been a problem affecting approximately 74 percent of first time shuttle flyers. Promethazine injections have been used for 29 cases of SMS to decrease the severity of their illness. Although reported to be effective in reducing symptoms in 27 of the 29 cases, there has been no proof of its efficacy. Methods: Retrospective analysis of medical debriefs examining the symptom scores for nausea, vomiting, decreased appetite, and stomach awareness were performed. Each symptom is rated on a mild = 1, moderate = 2, severe = 3 system for each flight day. Crewmember scores for the first three flight days on an initial flight in which injectable promethazine had not been used were compared to scores in a later flight in which the promethazine was utilized. Scores were also compared in a similar group of crewmembers who did not use promethazine. Results: There was a decrease in median scores for all symptoms except nausea, however, it was significant (p = 0.14) only for the vomiting scores. This significant decrease was not seen in the control group. Conclusions: Injectable promethazine has been associated with a significant decrease in vomiting compared to earlier flights in which injectable promethazine was not used.
Beck, B. G.↗
Comparison of treatment strategies for space motion sickness
Treatment strategies for space motion sickness were compared using the results of postflight oral debriefings. Standardized questionnaires were administered to all crewmembers immediately following Space Shuttle flights by NASA flight surgeons. Cases of space motion sickness were graded as mild, moderate, or severe based on published criteria, and medication effectiveness was judged based on subjective reports of symptom relief. Since October 1989, medication effectiveness is reported inflight through private medical conferences with the crew. A symptom matrix was analyzed for nineteen crewmembers treated with an oral combination of scopolomine and dextroamphetamine (scopdex) and fifteen crewmembers treated with promethazine delivered by intramuscular or suppository routes. Scopdex has been given preflight as prophylaxis for space motion sickness but analysis showed delayed symptom presentation in nine crewmembers or failed to prevent symptoms in seven.
Davis, J. R.↗