Artificial gravity as a multi-system countermeasure: effects on cognitive function.

Kimberly A. Seaton, Kelley J. Slack, Walter Sipes, Kendra Bowie

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    10 Scopus citations

    Abstract

    The Space Flight Cognitive Assessment Tool for Windows (WinSCAT) is used on the International Space Station to evaluate cognitive functioning after physical insult or trauma. The current study uses WinSCAT to assess cognitive functioning in a space flight analog (bed rest) environment where intermittent artificial gravity (AG) is being tested as a countermeasure. Fifteen male subjects (8 treatment, 7 control), who participated in 21 days of 6 degree head-down tilt bed rest, were assessed during the acclimatization phase, bed rest phase, and recovery phase. Individual differences were found within both the treatment and control groups. The treatment group accounted for more off-nominal WinSCAT scores than the control group. The length of time spent in bed rest was not associated with a change in cognitive function. Individual differences in underlying cognitive ability and motivation level are other possible explanations for the current findings.

    Original languageEnglish (US)
    Pages (from-to)P27-30
    JournalJournal of gravitational physiology : a journal of the International Society for Gravitational Physiology
    Volume14
    Issue number1
    StatePublished - Jul 2007

    ASJC Scopus subject areas

    • Medicine(all)

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