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All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS2024

Transfer of NASA Technology to the DoD: Mitigating Motion Sickness with Autogenic Feedback Training Exercise

Motion sickness poses a significant safety risk, particularly in the context of aviation. Given its prevalence among aviators and its detrimental impact on performance, researchers have attempted to identify effective mitigation strategies for motion sickness. Currently, many of the existing interventions are pharmacological, and while effective, they present a problem due to their associated adverse side effects. The primary goals of the current research were 1) demonstrate the value of the application of Autogenic-Feedback Training Exercise (AFTE), a physiological training program developed by NASA to mitigate the impact of operational stressors such as motion sickness and spatial disorientation on human physiology and performance and 2) evaluate a new enhanced version of AFTE training software and demonstrate the ability to apply it remotely and train other personnel to administer it. AFTE combines principles of autogenic therapy, and biofeedback in training individuals to control their physiological reactions through a series of relaxation and arousal exercises. This study included twenty-six participants, 17 men and 9 women. On day 1 participants were tested in a rotating chair (pre-test) to determine their motion sickness tolerance (measured as minutes of rotation); days 2-5 consisted of four AFTE training sessions, each 30-min. in duration for a total of 2 hours; and on day 6 the participants were re-tested in the rotating chair. Results revealed a significant increase in motion sickness tolerance with AFTE on the post-test when compared to pre-test, participants had significantly lower symptom diagnostic scores post-test, and there was no significant gender effect. In addressing the first goal it was concluded that the modified 2-hour version of AFTE significantly improved motion sickness tolerance with participants experiencing fewer symptoms. A second goal of this research was to refine and transfer a NASA technology, software and methods for applications within DOD by training other personnel to administer AFTE. A comparison of NASA and NAMRU-D trainers on AFTE outcome for improving participants’ motion sickness tolerance revealed no significant difference indicating the successful transfer of methods to DOD. In addition, remote AFTE training of military aviators at distant sites was feasible. A third goal was to identify individual patterns of interoceptive abilities and related autonomic metrics able to predict stress response and training outcome. These data included measures of personality traits obtained from questionnaires and specific autonomic measures (e.g., heart rate variability) collected by NAMRU-D investigators. These results will be reported in a separate paper.

autonomic nervous system↗
NASA NTRS1989

Physical Therapy Machine

Loredan Biomedical, Inc.'s LIDO, a computerized physical therapy system, was purchased by NASA in 1985 for evaluation as a Space Station Freedom exercise program. In 1986, while involved in an ARC muscle conditioning project, Malcom Bond, Loredan's chairman, designed an advanced software package for NASA which became the basis for LIDOSOFT software used in the commercially available system. The system employs a "proprioceptive" software program which perceives internal body conditions, induces perturbations to muscular effort and evaluates the response. Biofeedback on a screen allows a patient to observe his own performance.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS2004

Noninvasive Investigation of Bone Adaptation in Humans Cumulative Daily Mechanical Loading

Our Research Objective is to measure the spatial distribution of bone mass throughout the entire internal volume of a bone such as the human calcaneus or heel bone. Currently, x-ray computed tomography (CT) is the only practical three-dimensional imaging technology capable of measuring bone density within small contiguous volumetric regions of a bone. spectrum of energies in the x-ray beam producing the image. We have developed a computational method of correcting these errors, provided the x-ray spectrum is known or measured (Yan et al., 2000). Monitoring serial changes in volumetric bone density with age, disuse, exercise or A CT image contains measurement errors in bone density caused by the broad drug therapy also requires accurate image registration.

Whalen, Robert T.↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Neuro-Vestibular Examination During and Following Spaceflight (Vestibular Health)

BACKGROUND Adaptation to microgravity during spaceflight causes neurological disturbances that are either directly or indirectly mediated by the vestibular system. These disturbances could include space motion sickness, spatial disorientation, and cognitive impairment, as well as changes in head-eye coordination, vestibulo-ocular reflexes, and control of posture and locomotion. Otolith-mediated reflex gains appear to adapt rapidly during spaceflight and after landing. However, animal studies have shown that structural modifications of the vestibular sensory apparatus develop during long-duration spaceflight. To date, no studies have characterized the severity of vestibular syndromes experienced by astronauts as a function of the duration of spaceflight or whether the effects are caused by changes at the peripheral end organs, midbrain, cerebellum, or vestibular cortex. OBJECTIVES We will investigate temporal vestibular changes in crewmembers of short, 6-month, and one-year missions to identify trends in adaptation of vestibular health and performance in orbit and after landing. We will also determine whether the vestibular organs and/or the central vestibular system undergo structural changes during long-duration exposure to microgravity, which could cause vestibular disorders when transitioning to a different gravitational environment. METHODS Recordings of eye, head, and body movements, as well as subjective reports of perception of motion, will be used to determine the presence of abnormal eye movements, dysmetria, motion sickness symptoms, and illusions of motion during head or body movements. This includes characterization of temporal trends in central compensation for vestibular (otolith) asymmetry. Pre-flight data will be collected 90 days before the flight. In-flight tests will be performed early in the mission and once every one or two months thereafter. Post-flight examinations will be performed on the following days after return (R) from the mission: R+0, R+4, R+9, and R+30. Ground-based control tests will be performed on healthy volunteers in the laboratory to estimate mean normative responses. CONTROL RESULTS Thirty-two healthy (non-astronaut) control subjects performed the same ground test procedures as planned for crewmembers. In addition to establishing a normative database, these data were used to calculate vestibular asymmetries from perceptual reports during unilateral centrifugation, oculomotor responses during visual-alignment tasks, vestibulo-ocular reflex gain during head-impulse tests, and body rotation during stepping tests. A significant correlation was observed between asymmetries of subjective visual vertical and verbal report during unilateral centrifugation. Another significant correlation was observed between the asymmetries of ocular alignment, vestibulo-ocular reflex gain, and body rotation. These findings in a healthy cohort may help us better understand changes in vestibular asymmetries in crewmembers during and following spaceflight. RELEVANCE If the observed symptoms in crewmembers are more deleterious after the year-long missions than those documented after 6-month missions, then relevant countermeasures will be required to maintain the health and operational performance of astronauts during longer missions. Depending on the etiology of the vestibular syndrome revealed by these tests, countermeasures will be proposed based on vestibular rehabilitation therapies currently used in patients with vestibular disorders, such as habituation, gaze stabilization, and/or balance training exercises. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT This work is supported by the NASA’s Human Research Program Human Health Countermeasures Element.

T R Macaulay↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Neuro-Vestibular Examination During and Following Spaceflight (Vestibular Health)

BACKGROUND Adaptation to microgravity during spaceflight causes neurological disturbances that are either directly or indirectly mediated by the vestibular system. These disturbances can include space motion sickness, spatial disorientation, and cognitive impairment, as well as changes in head-eye coordination, vestibulo-ocular reflexes, and control of posture and locomotion. Otolith-mediated reflex gains appear to adapt rapidly during spaceflight and after landing. However, animal studies have shown that structural modifications of the vestibular sensory apparatus develop during long-duration spaceflight. To date, no studies have characterized the severity of vestibular syndromes experienced by astronauts as a function of the duration of spaceflight or whether the effects are caused by changes at the peripheral end organs, midbrain, cerebellum, or vestibular cortex. OBJECTIVES We will investigate temporal vestibular changes in crewmembers of short, 6-month, and one-year missions to identify trends in adaptation of vestibular health and performance in orbit and after landing. We will also determine whether the vestibular organs and/or the central vestibular system undergo structural changes during long-duration exposure to microgravity, which could cause vestibular disorders when transitioning to a different gravitational environment. METHODS Recordings of eye, head, and body movements, as well as subjective reports of perception of motion, will be used to determine the presence of abnormal eye movements, dysmetria, motion sickness symptoms, and illusions of motion during head or body movements. This includes characterization of temporal trends in central compensation for vestibular (otolith) asymmetry. Pre-flight data will be collected 90 days before launch. In-flight examinations will be performed early in the mission (Flight Days 1 and 30) and once every two or three months thereafter. Post-flight examinations will be performed on the following days after return (R) from the mission: R+0, R+4, R+9, and R+30. Ground-based control tests have been performed on healthy volunteers in the laboratory to estimate mean normative responses. RESULTS Data collection for this study is ongoing. Data processing techniques are being refined. Our eye tracking method for measuring three-dimensional eye movement takes advantage of modern computer vision software (OpenCV) and advances in the field of iris recognition to improve measurement of ocular-counterolling. RELEVANCE If the observed symptoms in crewmembers are more deleterious after the year-long missions than those documented after 6-month missions, then relevant countermeasures will be required to maintain the health and operational performance of astronauts during longer missions. Depending on the etiology of the vestibular syndrome revealed by these tests, countermeasures will be proposed based on vestibular rehabilitation therapies currently used in patients with vestibular disorders, such as habituation, gaze stabilization, and/or balance training exercises.

T R Macaulay↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Neuro-Vestibular Examination During and Following Spaceflight (Vestibular Health)

BACKGROUND Adaptation to microgravity during spaceflight causes neurological disturbances that are either directly or indirectly mediated by the vestibular system. These disturbances can include space motion sickness, spatial disorientation, and cognitive impairment, as well as changes in head-eye coordination, vestibulo-ocular reflexes, and control of posture and locomotion. Otolith-mediated reflex gains appear to adapt rapidly during spaceflight and after landing. However, animal studies have shown that structural modifications of the vestibular sensory apparatus develop during long-duration spaceflight. To date, no studies have characterized the severity of vestibular syndromes experienced by astronauts as a function of the duration of spaceflight or whether the effects are caused by changes at the peripheral end organs, midbrain, cerebellum, or vestibular cortex. OBJECTIVES We are investigating temporal vestibular changes in crewmembers of short, 6-month, and one-year missions to identify trends in adaptation of vestibular health and performance in orbit and after landing. We are also differentiating between peripheral and central vestibular forms of vertigo and oculomotor disorders. METHODS Recordings of eye, head, and body movements, as well as subjective reports of perception of motion, are being used to determine the presence of abnormal eye movements, dysmetria, motion sickness symptoms, and illusions of motion during head or body movements. This includes characterization of temporal trends in central compensation for vestibular (otolith) asymmetry. In-flight examinations are being performed early in the mission (Flight Days 1 and 30) and once every 2-3 months thereafter. Postflight examinations are performed after return (R) from the mission on R+0, R+4, R+9, and R+30. The inflight and postflight motion sickness questionnaires are customized to support data sharing across related studies. Ground-based control testing has been performed on healthy volunteers(18 females, 14 males;38.6 ± 9.2 years) in the laboratory to estimate mean normative responses, and on patients with bilateral vestibulopathy (BVP) (17 females, 13 males; 60.6 ± 13.0 years) at the University of Caen. RESULTS As of September 2024, two crewmembers have completed all preflight, inflight, and postflight testing. Additional crewmembers are currently enrolled and data collection is currently ongoing. For ground testing, BVP patients performed similarly to previous postflight astronauts on R+0 in various walking performance tasks. Three additional body movement perception tasks have been tested. For the Triangle Completion Task, BVP patients had a larger mean angle of deviation and longer mean distance than healthy controls. For the Self-Rotation Task and Distance Perception Task, BVP patients had larger errors than healthy controls. These data suggest that vestibular deficiencies impact all aspects of body movement perception tested; whereas previous studies suggest that vestibular deficiencies are only associated with directional errors, not with overall trajectories/path lengths. These data will be compared to those of crewmembers during early postflight readaptation. RELEVANCE If the observed symptoms in crewmembers are more deleterious after the year-long missions than those documented after 6-month missions, then relevant countermeasures will be required to maintain the health and operational performance of astronauts during longer missions. Depending on the etiology of the vestibular syndrome revealed by these tests, countermeasures will be proposed based on vestibular rehabilitation therapies currently used in patients with vestibular disorders, such as habituation, gaze stabilization, and/or balance training exercises. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT This work is supported by NASA’s Human Research Program Human Health Countermeasures Element.

T R Macaulay↗
NASA NTRS1997

Autogenic-Feedback Training Exercise (AFTE) Method and System

The Autogenic-Feedback Training Exercise (AFTE) method of the present invention is a combined application of physiologic and perceptual training techniques. such as autogenic therapy and biofeedback. This combined therapy approach produces a methodology that is appreciably more effective than either of the individual techniques used separately. The AFTE method enables sufficient magnitude of control necessary to significantly reduce the behavioral and physiologic reactions to severe environmental stressors. It produces learned effects that are persistent over time and are resistant to extinction and it can be administered in a short period of time. The AFTE method may be used efficiently in several applications, among which are the following: to improve pilot and crew performance during emergency flying conditions; to train people to prevent the occurrence of nausea and vomiting associated with motion and sea sickness, or morning sickness in early pregnancy; as a training method for preventing or counteracting air-sickness symptoms in high-performance military aircraft; for use as a method for cardiovascular training, as well as for multiple other autonomic responses, which may contribute to the alleviation of Space Motion Sickness (SMS) in astronauts and cosmonauts; training people suffering from migraine or tension headaches to control peripheral blood flow and reduce forehead and/or trapezius muscle tension; training elderly people suffering from fecal incontinence to control their sphincter muscles; training cancer patients to reduce the nauseagenic effects of chemotherapy; and training patients with Chronic Intestinal Pseudo-obstruction (CIP).

Cowings, Patricia S.↗
NASA NTRS2002

The effect of simulated weightlessness on hypobaric decompression sickness

BACKGROUND: A discrepancy exists between the incidence of ground-based decompression sickness (DCS) during simulated extravehicular activity (EVA) at hypobaric space suit pressure (20-40%) and crewmember reports during actual EVA (zero reports). This could be due to the effect of gravity during ground-based DCS studies. HYPOTHESIS: At EVA suit pressures of 29.6 kPa (4.3 psia), there is no difference in the incidence of hypobaric DCS between a control group and group exposed to simulated weightlessness (supine body position). METHODS: Male subjects were exposed to a hypobaric pressure of 29.6 kPa (4.3 psi) for up to 4 h. The control group (n = 26) pre-oxygenated for 60 min (first 10 min exercising) before hypobaric exposure and walking around in the altitude chamber. The test group (n = 39) remained supine for a 3 h prior to and during the 60-min pre-oxygenation (also including exercise) and at hypobaric pressure. DCS symptoms and venous gas emboli (VGE) at hypobaric pressure were registered. RESULTS: DCS occurred in 42% in the control and in 44% in simulated weightlessness group (n.s.). The mean time for DCS to develop was 112 min (SD +/- 61) and 123 min (+/- 67), respectively. VGE occurred in 81% of the control group subjects and in 51% of the simulated weightlessness subjects (p = 0.02), while severe VGE occurred in 58% and 33%, respectively (p = 0.08). VGE started after 113 min (+/- 43) in the control and after 76 min (+/- 64) in the simulated weightlessness group. CONCLUSIONS: No difference in incidence of DCS was shown between control and simulated weightlessness conditions. VGE occurred more frequently during the control condition with bubble-releasing arm and leg movements.

NASA Discipline Environmental Health↗
NASA NTRS2000

A Primary Care Approach to the Diagnosis and Management of Peripheral Arterial Disease

The objectives of this work are: (1) Be able to recognize characteristic symptoms of intermittent claudication (2) Diagnose PAD on the basis of history, physical exam, and simple limb blood pressure measurements (3) Recognize the significance of peripheral artery disease as a marker for coronary or cerebrovascular atherosclerosis (4) Provide appropriate medical management of atherosclerosis risk factors-- including use of antiplatelet therapy to reduce risk of myocardial infarction, stroke and death (5) Manage symptoms of intermittent claudication with program of smoking cessation, exercise, and medication The diagnosis of intermittent claudication secondary to peripheral artery disease (PAD) can often be made on the basis of history and physical examination. Additional evaluation of PAD is multi-modal and the techniques used will vary depending on the nature and severity of the patient's presenting problem. Most patients can be appropriately managed without referral for specialized diagnostic services or interventions.

Dawson, David L.↗
NASA NTRS2013

FRET-Aptamer Assays for Bone Marker Assessment, C-Telopeptide, Creatinine, and Vitamin D

Astronauts lose 1.0 to 1.5% of their bone mass per month on long-duration spaceflights. NASA wishes to monitor the bone loss onboard spacecraft to develop nutritional and exercise countermeasures, and make adjustments during long space missions. On Earth, the same technology could be used to monitor osteoporosis and its therapy. Aptamers bind to targets against which they are developed, much like antibodies. However, aptamers do not require animal hosts or cell culture and are therefore easier, faster, and less expensive to produce. In addition, aptamers sometimes exhibit greater affinity and specificity vs. comparable antibodies. In this work, fluorescent dyes and quenchers were added to the aptamers to enable pushbutton, one-step, bind-and-detect fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) assays or tests that can be freeze-dried, rehydrated with body fluids, and used to quantitate bone loss of vitamin D levels with a handheld fluorometer in the spacecraft environment. This work generated specific, rapid, one-step FRET assays for the bone loss marker C-telopeptide (CTx) when extracted from urine, creatinine from urine, and vitamin D congeners in diluted serum. The assays were quantified in nanograms/mL using a handheld fluorometer connected to a laptop computer to convert the raw fluorescence values into concentrations of each analyte according to linear standard curves. DNA aptamers were selected and amplified for several rounds against a 26- amino acid form of CTx, creatinine, and vitamin D. The commonalities between loop structures were studied, and several common loop structures were converted into aptamer beacons with a fluorophore and quencher on each end. In theory, when the aptamer beacon binds its cognate target (CTx bone peptide, creatinine, or vitamin D), it is forced open and no longer quenched, so it gives off fluorescent light (when excited) in proportion to the amount of target present in a sample. This proportional increase in fluorescence is called a "lights on" FRET response. The vitamin D aptamer beacon gives a "lights off" or inversely proportional fluorescence response to the amount of vitamin D present in diluted serum. These FRET-aptamer assays are rapid (<30 minutes), sensitive (low ng/mL detection limits), and quite easy to carry out (add sample, mix, and detect in the handheld reader). Benefits include the speed of the assays as well as the small amount of space taken up by the handheld reader and cuvette assays. The aptamer DNA sequences represent novel additional features of the existing (patent-pending) FRET-aptamer assay platform.

Bruno, John G.↗
NASA NTRS1999

GH/IGF-I Transgene Expression on Muscle Homeostasis

We propose to test the hypothesis that the growth hormone/ insulin like growth factor-I axis through autocrine/paracrine mechanisms may provide long term muscle homeostasis under conditions of prolonged weightlessness. As a key alternative to hormone replacement therapy, ectopic production of hGH, growth hormone releasing hormone (GHRH), and IGF-I will be studied for its potential on muscle mass impact in transgenic mice under simulated microgravity. Expression of either hGH or IGF-I would provide a chronic source of a growth-promoting protein whose biosynthesis or secretion is shut down in space. Muscle expression of the IGF-I transgene has demonstrated about a 20% increase in hind limb muscle mass over control nontransgenic litter mates. These recent experiments, also establish the utility of hind-limb suspension in mice as a workable model to study atrophy in weight bearing muscles. Thus, transgenic mice will be used in hind-limb suspension models to determine the role of GH/IGF-I on maintenance of muscle mass and whether concentric exercises might act in synergy with hormone treatment. As a means to engineer and ensure long-term protein production that would be workable in humans, gene therapy technology will be used by to monitor muscle mass preservation during hind-limb suspension, after direct intramuscular injection of a genetically engineered muscle-specific vector expressing GHRH. Effects of this gene-based therapy will be assessed in both fast twitch (medial gastrocnemius) and slow twitch muscle (soleus). End-points include muscle size, ultrastructure, fiber type, and contractile function, in normal animals, hind limb suspension, and reambutation.

Schwartz, Robert J.↗
NASA NTRS2005

Artificial Gravity: Will it Preserve Bone Health on Long-Duration Missions?

Prolonged microgravity exposure disrupts bone, muscle, and cardiovascular homeostasis, sensory-motor coordination, immune function, and behavioral performance. Bone loss, in particular, remains a serious impediment to the success of exploration-class missions by increasing the risks of bone fracture and renal stone formation for crew members. Current countermeasures, consisting primarily of resistive and aerobic exercise, have not yet proven fully successful for preventing bone loss during long-duration spaceflight. While other bone-specific countermeasures, such as pharmacological therapy and dietary modifications, are under consideration, countermeasure approaches that simultaneously address multiple physiologic systems may be more desirable for exploration-class missions, particularly if they can provide effective protection at reduced mission resource requirements (up-mass, power, crew time, etc). The most robust of the multi-system approaches under consideration, artificial gravity (AG), could prevent all of the microgravity-related physiological changes from occurring. The potential methods for realizing an artificial gravity countermeasure are reviewed, as well as selected animal and human studies evaluating the effects of artificial gravity on bone function. Future plans for the study of the multi-system effects of artificial gravity include a joint, cooperative international effort that will systematically seek an optimal prescription for intermittent AG to preserve bone, muscle, and cardiovascular function in human subjects deconditioned by 6 degree head-down-tilt-bed rest. It is concluded that AG has great promise as a multi-system countermeasure, but that further research is required to determine the appropriate parameters for implementation of such a countermeasure for exploration-class missions.

Davis-Street, Janis↗
NASA NTRS2004

Gravity-independent constant force resistive exercise unit

This invention describes a novel gravity-independent exercise unit designed for use in microgravity, or on the ground, as a means by which to counter muscle atrophy and bone degradation due to disuse or underuse. Modular resistive packs comprising constant torque springs provide constant force opposing the withdrawal of an exercise cable from the device. In addition to uses within the space program, the compact resistive packs of the CFREU allow the unit to be small enough for easy use as a home gym for personal use, or as a supplement for rehabilitation programs. Resistive packs may be changed conveniently out of the CFREU according to the desired exercise regimen. Thus, the resistive packs replace the need for expensive, heavy, and bulky traditional weight plates. The CFREU may be employed by hospitals, rehabilitation and physical therapy clinics, and other related professional businesses.

Colosky, Jr., Paul E.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Quantitative Tester And Reconditioner For Hand And Arm

Apparatus measures torques, forces, and motions of hand, wrist, forearm, elbow, and shoulder and aids in reconditioning muscles involved. Used to determine strengths and endurances of muscles, ranges of motion of joints, and reaction times. Provides quantitative data used to assess extent to which disuse, disease, or injury causes deterioration of muscles and of motor-coordination skills. Same apparatus serves as exercise machine to restore muscle performance by imposing electronically controlled, gradually increasing loads on muscles. Suitable for training and evaluating astronauts, field testing for workers' compensation claims, and physical therapy in hospitals. With aid of various attachments, system adapted to measure such special motions as pinching, rotation of wrist, and supination and pronation of the forearm. Attachments are gloves, wristlets, and sleeves.

Engle, Gary↗
NASA NTRS1997

Effect of fluid ingestion on orthostatic responses following acute exercise

Orthostatic tolerance is impaired following an acute bout of exercise. This study examined the effect of fluid ingestion following treadmill exercise in restoring the cardiovascular responses to an orthostatic stress. Five men (age, 29.6 +/- 3.4 yrs) were exposed to a graded lower body negative (LBNP) pressure protocol (0 to -50 mmHg) during euhydration without exercise (C), 20 minutes after exercise dehydration (D), 20 minutes after exercise and fluid ingestion (FI20), and 60 minutes after exercise and fluid ingestion (FI60). Fluid ingestion (mean +/- SE) consisted of water-ingestion equivalent to 50% of the body weight lost during exercise (520 +/- 15 ml). Exercise dehydration resulted in significantly higher heart rates (119 +/- 8 vs 82 +/- 7 bpm), lower systolic blood pressures (95 +/- 1.7 vs 108 +/- 2.3 mmHg), a smaller increase in leg circumference (3.7 +/- 4 vs 6.9 +/- 1.0 mm), and an attenuated increase in total peripheral resistance (2.58 +/- 1.2 vs 4.28 +/- 0.9 mmHg/L/min) at -50 mmHg LBNP compared to the C condition. Fluid ingestion (both 20 and 60), partially restored the heart rate, systolic blood pressure, and total peripheral resistance responses to LBNP, but did not influence the change in leg circumference during LBNP (4 +/- 0.3 for R20 and 2.8 +/- 0.4 mm for R60). These data illustrate the effectiveness of fluid ingestion on improving orthostatic responses following exercise, and suggest that dehydration is a contributing factor to orthostatic intolerance following exercise.

NASA Center JSC↗
NASA NTRS1993

Cardio-Muscular Conditioner

In the mid-sixties, Gary Graham, a Boeing designer, developed a cardiovascular conditioner for a planned Air Force orbiting laboratory. After the project was cancelled, Graham participated in space station conditioning studies for the Skylab program. Twenty years later, he used this expertise to develop the Shuttle 2000-1, a physical therapy and athletic development conditioner, available through Contemporary Designs. The machine is used by football teams, sports clinics and medical rehabilitation centers. Cardiovascular fitness and muscular strength development are promoted through both kinetic and plyometric exercises.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS1987

Controversies in cardiovascular care: silent myocardial ischemia

The objective evidence of silent myocardial ischemia--ischemia in the absence of classical chest pain--includes ST-segment shifts (usually depression), momentary left ventricular failure, and perfusion defects on scintigraphic studies. Assessment of angina patients with 24-hour ambulatory monitoring may uncover episodes of silent ischemia, the existence of which may give important information regarding prognosis and may help structure a more effective therapeutic regimen. The emerging recognition of silent ischemia as a significant clinical entity may eventually result in an expansion of current therapy--not only to ameliorate chest pain, but to minimize or eliminate ischemia in the absence of chest pain.

NASA Program Space Medicine↗
NASA NTRS1992

Improving survival after tissue vaporization (Ebullism)

Exposure of unprotected humans to altitudes above 63,000 ft results in ebullism. Ebullism occurs when the vapor pressure of tissues is less than the ambient pressure and the tissues spontaneously 'boil'. This may result in rapid unconsciousness, cardiac vaporlock, pulmonary collapse, cerebral anoxia, and sometimes even death. Potential places for this include EVA accidents in space, aircraft experiencing rapid decompression at high altitudes with cabin or pressure suit failure, and accidents during pressure suit training exercises. The pathophysiology of ebullism was studied in the 40's to 60's using animal models. There is one report of a prolonged, unprotected human exposure and several anecdotal of unprotected short term exposures to near vacuum. In addition to pulmonary and neurologic concerns, unprotected exposure of the head may result in freezing of the corneal surface of the eye. Surface eye freezing may impair vision and significantly impact mission completion. At this time, little data are available on the effectiveness of conventional treatment protocols, such as hyperbaric oxygen, for ebullism induced injuries. Research is needed to assess the efficacy of other adjunctive therapies such as high frequency ventilation and cerebral protective drugs that are still under development.

Stegmann, Barbara J.↗