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EXPERIMENT INFORMATION

Psychomotor Vigilance Self Test on the ISS (Self_Test)
Principal Investigator
+ Dinges, David F.
Bioastronautics Roadmap
+ Sensory-Motor Adaptation
Species Studied
Homo sapiens (Human)
Experiment Description
OBJECTIVES:
The Psychomotor Vigilance Test Reaction Self Test was developed to provide astronauts with objective feedback on neurobehavioral changes in vigilant attention, psychomotor speed, state stability, and impulsivity while on International Space Station (ISS) missions. The Reaction Self Test is ideal for repeated use in space flight because unlike other cognitive tests, it is very brief while being free of learning effects and aptitude differences that make interpretation of other cognitive measures difficult. The test was successfully deployed in three NASA Extreme Environment Mission Operation (NEEMO 9, 12, and 13) and found to be acceptable by the 12 astronauts, whose data provided a normative database for development of a feedback interface for the Reaction Self Test to alert astronauts to their performance level.

The project will deploy the Reaction Self Test on the ISS to provide astronauts with objective feedback on neurobehavioral changes in vigilant attention, psychomotor speed, state stability, and impulsivity. It will evaluate the extent to which Reaction Self Test performance of astronauts is sensitive to fatigue from sleep loss and circadian disruption during the mission, fatigue from work intensity during the mission, decline of performance with time during the mission, and carry-over effects of medications for sleep on the ISS. It will also evaluate the extent to which Reaction Self Test performance feedback (via a graphical interface) is perceived by ISS astronauts as a useful tool for assessing performance capability.

Specific Aims:

1. To evaluate the extent to which Reaction Self Test performance of astronauts is sensitive to fatigue from sleep loss and circadian disruption during ISS missions. This includes the following conditions evaluated individually and in aggregate:

i. extended wake duration between 16 hours;

ii. sleep restriction defined as total sleep time between zero to six hours per 24-hour period; and

iii. circadian perturbation associated with night work and sleep shifting.

2. To evaluate the extent to which Reaction Self Test performance of astronauts is sensitive to fatigue from work intensity during ISS missions. This included the following conditions evaluated individually and in aggregate: i. extend work durations up to 16 hours per day;

ii. more than six consecutive work days without a day off for rest; and

iii. work requiring extravehicular activity (EVA).

3. To evaluate the extent to which Reaction Self Test performance of astronauts declines with time in mission.

4. To evaluate the extent to which Reaction Self Test performance of astronauts is sensitive to the carry-over effects of medications for sleep (e.g., zolpidem, ramelteon, etc.) on the ISS.

5. To evaluate the extent to which Reaction Self Test performance feedback (via a graphical interface) is perceived by ISS astronauts as a useful tool for assessing performance capability.

++ -- Description Continues

APPROACH:
Baseline Data Collection

Preflight baseline data collection (BDC) requires 26 sessions, where each session is five minutes long. The sessions are scheduled to occur twice a day on L-180, L-150, L-120, L-90, L-60, L-30, and L-7 through L-1. There is a 45 minute overview session before the L-180 BDC. The total crew time for preflight BDC for one subject is 175 minutes. Postflight BDC requires 22 sessions, where each session is five minutes long. The sessions are scheduled to occur twice a day on R+0 through R+7, R+30, R+60, and R+90. The total crew time for post-flight BDC for one subject is 110 minutes.

Inflight Data Collection

During flight, it is imperative that the Reaction Self Test be completed regularly through the entire mission. The Reaction Self Test will use the Human Research Facility (HRF) laptop or Station Support Computer (SSC) and will take about five minutes to complete. It includes pre-test questions, the reaction time test and feedback displays on the computer. The crewmember will be asked to complete the Reaction Self Test twice a day every fourth day of the mission. In addition, the crewmembers will be asked to complete the Reaction Self Test twice a day for three days preceding a sleep shift and another Reaction Self Test twice a day for five days after the sleep shift. Similarly, the crewmembers will be asked to complete the Reaction Self Test twice on the day prior to an EVA and once at the end of each EVA.

RESULTS:
This experiment is currently in-progress. Results will be available when the study is complete and the investigators have had an opportunity to publish.

Keywords :
• Fatigue
• Psychomotor performance
• Reaction time
• Sleep
• Work
Data Information
Data Preservation Status
Preservation in progress
Data Availability
Experiment is described. Some data may be on the Web site, and additional data may be available at a later date.
Measurements
• Alertness
• Caffeine
• Medication
• Number of awakenings
• Quality of sleep

++ -- Measurements Continue
• Reaction time
• Sleep disturbance
• Total sleep time
Space Flight Missions
Mission
Launch/Start Date Landing/End Date Duration

+ Human Research Facility on Expedition 21
09/30/2009 11/23/2009 54 days
+ Human Research Facility on Expedition 22
11/30/2009 05/15/2010 In Progress
Other Information About This Experiment
Managing NASA Center
Johnson Space Center (JSC)
Responsible NASA Representative
Johnson Space Center LSDA Office
Project Manager: Mary A. Fitts
Institutional Support
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
Alternate Experiment Names
Reaction Self Test
Research Areas
Behavior and performance
Neurophysiology
Life Sciences Data Archive-feedback2
? NASA
Last Updated: 11/06/2009 - v8.d
Webmaster:  Abul A. Chowdhury
Curators:  Afzal Ahmed , Jacque Havelka
NASA Official:  Mary A. Fitts
Baselined: 7/15/2004
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