NOTE: End date changed to 02/22/2026 per S. Mack-Phillips, NASA-JSC (Ed., 1/20/25).

AIM 1: Perform a detailed risk assessment of factors that contribute to personal (and team) dysfunction, particularly in isolated, confined, and extreme environments.

AIM 2: Develop a personalized performance-optimization platform (P-POP) based on closed-loop/feedback that integrates physiological sensing with augmentation of the astronaut’s local working environment (e.g., audio, haptics, light).

AIM 3: Characterize the ability of P-POP to improve key performance capabilities including attention, response time, memory, cognitive control, and operationally-relevant performance.

AIM 4: Assess the feasibility, acceptability, and efficacy of our proposed platform for use in individuals and teams via empirical testing during long-duration spaceflight analogs.

HYPOTHESES: (Hyp1) The novel P-POP will provide real-time physiological monitoring to enable the personalized manipulation of the local work environment—both in the lab and in Human Exploration Research Analog (HERA). (Hyp2) Our targeted work environment modulations (e.g., sound, haptics, light) will generate significant improvements in individuals’ cognitive and operational performance.

DELIVERABLES: Our project sought to generate the following deliverables: (1) a review of factors that contribute to poor individual and team performance in spaceflight and isolated, confined, and extreme (ICE) settings as well as the efficacy of simple environmental manipulations to help mitigate behavioral health risks; (2) a novel BCI-based platform technology capable of real-time tracking of psychological and behavioral health markers and providing targeted augmentation of the local work environment to manipulate those markers; (3) an evaluation of the feasibility, acceptability, and efficacy of the proposed platform technology in multiple settings including testing in a spaceflight analog.

SIGNIFICANCE: This work provides NASA with a novel and scalable platform technology for on-board behavioral health management—adapting the local working environment via biosensing and feedback. The approach is personalized and closed-loop, automatically guiding individuals away from less-optimal states (as assessed by physiological measurements) towards more-optimal states, with minimal effect on the environment that might affect other crew members. We expect the approach to help maintain and improve individual performance and, as a consequence, also improve team performance. The P-POP system does not require video displays or graphics, as per the solicitation. Importantly, however, the platform was designed for future augmentation via other countermeasure approaches (e.g., visual, olfactory), depending on the needs and capabilities of any particular exploration mission. On Earth, such a platform could have considerable utility for optimizing human performance in a wide range of workplaces.

P-POP development was conducted in phases. Phase 1 involved the development and integration of the auditory CM into the base/initial AttentivU hardware platform, specifically using music to help optimize behavioral performance. This development/integration effort was immediately followed by tests of the auditory CM in n=24 volunteers over a 6-week, self-deployed (at home) testing protocol involving cognitive testing. This work revealed an ability to positively affect performance by varying auditory (music) stimuli. In parallel with this testing, we initiated Phase 2, which incorporated the haptics CM into the P-POP platform. This process involved the development and linking of a multi-tactor somatosensory sleeve or bracelet that could serve to increase or decrease arousal and attention levels based on the current brain state. Again, this development and integration work was followed immediately by tests of that CM in n=24 volunteers in another 6-week, self-deployed (at home) testing protocol, in this case involving both cognitive testing and operationally-relevant testing with our enhanced SpaceDock2 spacecraft docking simulation. In parallel with Phase 2 testing, we also started Phase 3 development to add a light-based CM to the P-POP platform. This CM was designed to leverage recent research showing that 40Hz flickering light can enhance attention and alertness, whereas 10Hz light can be used to induce calmer mental states. As with music and haptics, this makes a third CM that can help modulate the user's psychophysiological state and “nudge” them towards the state of peak performance. Light-enabled P-POP prototypes were generated, along with the development of next-generation cognitive testing (CogScope) and operationally-relevant assessment (SpaceDock2). Testing of the Phase 3 system could not be completed due to the premature termination of the award. Phase 4 (Aim 4) of the project was scheduled to involve deploying the three-CM P-POP platform in the NASA Johnson Space Center (JSC) Human Exploration Research Analog (HERA) facility during Campaign 8 as a CM to isolation in confinement during a HERA analog campaign. That work was also not conducted due to the premature termination of the P-POP award due to Administration budget constraints.

NOTE: End date changed to 02/22/2026 per S. Mack-Phillips, NASA-JSC (Ed., 1/20/25).

AIM 1: Perform a detailed risk assessment of factors that contribute to personal (and team) dysfunction, particularly in isolated, confined, and extreme environments.

AIM 2: Develop a personalized performance-optimization platform (P-POP) based on closed-loop/feedback that integrates physiological sensing with augmentation of the astronaut’s local working environment (e.g., audio, haptics, light).

AIM 3: Characterize the ability of P-POP to improve key performance capabilities including attention, response time, memory, cognitive control, and operationally-relevant performance.

AIM 4: Assess the feasibility, acceptability, and efficacy of our proposed platform for use in individuals and teams via empirical testing during long-duration spaceflight analogs.

HYPOTHESES: (Hyp1) The novel P-POP will provide real-time physiological monitoring to enable the personalized manipulation of the local work environment—both in the lab and in Human Exploration Research Analog (HERA). (Hyp2) Our targeted work environment modulations (e.g., sound, haptics, light) will generate significant improvements in individuals’ cognitive and operational performance.

DELIVERABLES: Our project will generate the following deliverables: (1) a characterization of those factors that contribute to poor individual and team performance in isolated, confined, and extreme (ICE) settings; (2) a novel platform technology capable of real-time tracking of psychological and behavioral health markers and providing targeted augmentation of the local work environment to manipulate those markers; (3) an evaluation of the feasibility, acceptability, and efficacy of the proposed platform technology, on both individual and team metrics, including testing in a spaceflight analog. Based on our findings, we will develop specific protocols and guidelines for optimal deployment of our platform, as well as providing standards recommendations.

SIGNIFICANCE: This work will provide NASA with a novel and scalable platform technology for on-board behavioral health management—adapting the local working environment via biosensing and feedback. The approach is personalized and closed-loop, guiding individuals away from less-optimal states (as assessed by physiological measurements) and towards more-optimal states. We expect the approach to help maintain and improve individual performance as well as team performance. The system does not require video displays or graphics. Importantly, however, the platform will be designed for future augmentation via other countermeasure approaches (e.g., visual, olfactory), depending on the needs and capabilities of any particular exploration mission. On Earth, such a platform could have considerable utility for optimizing human performance in a wide range of workplaces.

P-POP development is being conducted in phases. Phase 1 involved development and testing of the auditory (music) CM for maintaining an optimal brain state for behavioral performance. This involved the development and integration of the auditory CM into the hardware platform, specifically using music to optimize behavioral performance. Development was immediately followed by testing of that CM in n=24 human volunteers, which was completed in Year 2. In parallel with Phase 1 testing, we initiated Phase 2 development, which added the somatosensory/haptics CM to the P-POP platform. Development was completed in year 3 and followed by testing of the haptic CM in n=24 human volunteers. Phase 2 testing was completed in early year 4 and was designed to assess whether this somatosensory-based CM can aid operationally-relevant behavioral performance. In parallel, we have begun Phase 3 development, to add a lighting CM to the P-POP platform, followed by similar human performance testing. Finally, in Phase 4, the completed, three-CM P-POP platform will be tested at the NASA Johnson Space Center (JSC) Human Exploration Research Analog (HERA) facility to optimize cognitive and operationally-relevant behavioral performance in isolation and confinement during a HERA analog campaign.

AIM 1: Perform a detailed risk assessment of factors that contribute to personal (and team) dysfunction, particularly in isolated, confined, and extreme environments.

AIM 2: Develop a personalized performance-optimization platform (P-POP) based on closed-loop/feedback that integrates physiological sensing with augmentation of the astronaut’s local working environment (e.g., audio, haptics, light).

AIM 3: Characterize the ability of P-POP to improve key performance capabilities including attention, response time, memory, cognitive control, and operationally-relevant performance.

AIM 4: Assess the feasibility, acceptability, and efficacy of our proposed platform for use in individuals and teams via empirical testing during long-duration spaceflight analogs.

HYPOTHESES: (Hyp1) The novel P-POP will provide real-time physiological monitoring to enable the personalized manipulation of the local work environment—both in the lab and in Human Exploration Research Analog (HERA). (Hyp2) Our targeted work environment modulations (e.g., sound, haptics, light) will generate significant improvements in individuals’ cognitive and operational performance.

DELIVERABLES: Our project will generate the following deliverables: (1) a characterization of those factors that contribute to poor individual and team performance in isolated, confined, and extreme (ICE) settings; (2) a novel platform technology capable of real-time tracking of psychological and behavioral health markers and providing targeted augmentation of the local work environment to manipulate those markers; (3) an evaluation of the feasibility, acceptability, and efficacy of the proposed platform technology, on both individual and team metrics, including testing in a spaceflight analog. Based on our findings, we will develop specific protocols and guidelines for optimal deployment of our platform, as well as providing standards recommendations.

SIGNIFICANCE: This work will provide NASA with a novel and scalable platform technology for on-board behavioral health management—adapting the local working environment via biosensing and feedback. The approach is personalized and closed-loop, guiding individuals away from less-optimal states (as assessed by physiological measurements) and towards more-optimal states. We expect the approach to help maintain and improve individual performance as well as team performance. The system does not require video displays or graphics. Importantly, however, the platform will be designed for future augmentation via other countermeasure approaches (e.g., visual, olfactory), depending on the needs and capabilities of any particular exploration mission. On Earth, such a platform could have considerable utility for optimizing human performance in a wide range of workplaces.

P-POP development is being conducted in phases. Phase 1 (conducted during the first year of the project) involved development and integration of the auditory CM into the hardware platform, specifically using music to optimize behavioral performance. This effort was completed at the end of Phase 1, and was immediately followed by testing of that CM in n=24 human volunteers. In parallel with this testing, we initiated Phase 2 development, which added the somatosensory/haptics CM to the P-POP platform. This step has been completed, and testing this year will assess whether this somatosensory/haptics CM can aid operationally-relevant behavioral performance. We are also starting Phase 3 development, to add a lighting CM to the P-POP platform, followed by similar human performance testing. Finally, in Phase 4, the completed, three-CM P-POP platform will be tested at the NASA Johnson Space Center (JSC) Human Exploration Research Analog (HERA) facility as a CM to isolation in confinement during a HERA analog campaign.

By the end of the 3rd year of this project, we will have completed the following major tasks:

Reviews: For project Aim 1, we conducted a detailed literature review to identify risk factors that contribute to personal (and team) dysfunction in isolated, confined, and extreme (ICE) environments, along with potential sensory CM approaches. A manuscript is being finalized on this topic. In addition, we conducted a detailed review on the role of music in the modulation of mental states and performance. A complete manuscript will be published on the NASA Technical Reports Server, and an abridged version is currently under review.

Platform Development & Testing: We completed Phase 1 development and Phase 1 (Aim 3) of the music CM. We have completed Phase 2 development of the somatosensory/haptics CM (Aim 2) and are about to start the associated testing (Aim 3). We have initiated Phase 3 development of the personalized lighting CM (Aim 2). We have also begun discussions with JSC Research Operations and Integration (ROI) and other investigators regarding the future planned HERA campaign testing of P-POP.

AIM 1: Perform a detailed risk assessment of factors that contribute to personal (and team) dysfunction, particularly in isolated, confined, and extreme environments.

AIM 2: Develop a personalized performance-optimization platform (P-POP) based on closed-loop/feedback that integrates physiological sensing with augmentation of the astronaut’s local working environment (e.g., audio, haptics, light).

AIM 3: Characterize the ability of P-POP to improve key performance capabilities including attention, response time, memory, cognitive control, and operationally-relevant performance.

AIM 4: Assess the feasibility, acceptability, and efficacy of our proposed platform for use in individuals and teams via empirical testing during long-duration spaceflight analogs.

HYPOTHESES: (Hyp1) The novel P-POP will provide real-time physiological monitoring to enable the personalized manipulation of the local work environment—both in the lab and in Human Exploration Research Analog (HERA). (Hyp2) Our targeted work environment modulations (e.g., sound, haptics, light) will generate significant improvements in individuals’ cognitive and operational performance.

DELIVERABLES: Our project will generate the following deliverables: (1) a characterization of those factors that contribute to poor individual and team performance in isolated, confined, and extreme (ICE) settings; (2) a novel platform technology capable of real-time tracking of psychological and behavioral health markers and providing targeted augmentation of the local work environment to manipulate those markers; (3) an evaluation of the feasibility, acceptability, and efficacy of the proposed platform technology, on both individual and team metrics, including testing in a spaceflight analog. Based on our findings, we will develop specific protocols and guidelines for optimal deployment of our platform, as well as providing standards recommendations.

SIGNIFICANCE: This work will provide NASA with a novel and scalable platform technology for on-board behavioral health management—adapting the local working environment via biosensing and feedback. The approach is personalized and closed-loop, guiding individuals away from less-optimal states (as assessed by physiological measurements) and towards more-optimal states. We expect the approach to help maintain and improve individual performance as well as team performance. The system does not require video displays or graphics. Importantly, however, the platform will be designed for future augmentation via other countermeasure approaches (e.g., visual, olfactory), depending on the needs and capabilities of any particular exploration mission. On Earth, such a platform could have considerable utility for optimizing human performance in a wide range of workplaces.

Personalized performance optimization platform (P-POP) development is being conducted incrementally, in approximately year-long phases. Phase 1 (conducted during this first year of the project) involved development and integration of the auditory countermeasure (CM) into the hardware platform, specifically using music to optimize behavioral performance. This effort was completed early in year 2 and was immediately followed by testing of that CM in n=24 human volunteers. In parallel with this testing, we have initiated Phase 2 development, adding the somatosensory/haptics CM to the P-POP platform. This will be followed by testing whether this somatosensory/haptics CM can aid operationally relevant behavioral performance. In Phase 3, we will add the lighting CM to the P-POP platform. Finally, in Phase 4, the completed three-CM P-POP platform will be tested at the JSC HERA facility as a CM to isolation in confinement during a HERA analog campaign.

By the end of the 2nd year of this project, we will have completed the following major tasks:

Reviews: For project Aim 1, we conducted a detailed literature review to identify risk factors that contribute to personal (and team) dysfunction in isolated, confined, and extreme (ICE) environments, along with potential sensory CM approaches. A manuscript is being prepared of this topic. In addition, we conducted a detailed review on the role of music in the modulation of mental states and performance. A complete manuscript will be published on the NASA Technical Reports Server, and an abridged version is currently under review.

Platform Development & Testing: For project Aim 2, we completed Phase 1 development and Phase 1 testing of the music CM and have initiated Phase 2 development and preparation for testing (the somatosensory/haptics CM). We have also initiated the planning of the Phase 3 development (personalized lighting CM).

AIM 1: Perform a detailed risk assessment of factors that contribute to personal (and team) dysfunction, particularly in isolated, confined, and extreme environments.

AIM 2: Develop a personalized performance-optimization platform (P-POP) based on closed-loop/feedback that integrates physiological sensing with augmentation of the astronaut’s local working environment (e.g., audio, haptics, light).

AIM 3: Characterize the ability of P-POP to improve key performance capabilities including attention, response time, memory, cognitive control, and operationally-relevant performance.

AIM 4: Assess the feasibility, acceptability, and efficacy of our proposed platform for use in individuals and teams via empirical testing during long-duration spaceflight analogs.

HYPOTHESES: (Hyp1) The novel P-POP will provide real-time physiological monitoring to enable the personalized manipulation of the local work environment—both in the lab and in Human Exploration Research Analog (HERA). (Hyp2) Our targeted work environment modulations (e.g., sound, haptics, light) will generate significant improvements in individuals’ cognitive and operational performance.

DELIVERABLES: Our project will generate the following deliverables: (1) a characterization of those factors that contribute to poor individual and team performance in isolated, confined, and extreme (ICE) settings; (2) a novel platform technology capable of real-time tracking of psychological and behavioral health markers and providing targeted augmentation of the local work environment to manipulate those markers; (3) an evaluation of the feasibility, acceptability, and efficacy of the proposed platform technology, on both individual and team metrics, including testing in a spaceflight analog. Based on our findings, we will develop specific protocols and guidelines for optimal deployment of our platform, as well as providing standards recommendations.

SIGNIFICANCE: This work will provide NASA with a novel and scalable platform technology for on-board behavioral health management—adapting the local working environment via biosensing and feedback. The approach is personalized and closed-loop, guiding individuals away from less-optimal states (as assessed by physiological measurements) and towards more-optimal states. We expect the approach to help maintain and improve individual performance as well as team performance. The system does not require video displays or graphics. Importantly, however, the platform will be designed for future augmentation via other countermeasure approaches (e.g., visual, olfactory), depending on the needs and capabilities of any particular exploration mission. On Earth, such a platform could have considerable utility for optimizing human performance in a wide range of workplaces.

P-POP development is being conducted incrementally, in approximately year-long phases. Phase 1 (conducted during this first year of the project) involves development and integration of the auditory countermeasure (CM) into the hardware platform. This step is then followed by testing of that CM in human volunteers. In Phase 2, we will add the lighting CM to the auditory-only platform, followed by testing of the two-CM platform. In Phase 3, we will add the haptics CM, followed by testing of the three-CM platform. Finally, in Phase 4, the completed, three-CM platform will be tested at the NASA Johnson Space Center (JSC) Human Exploration Research Analog (HERA) facility as a CM to isolation in confinement during a HERA analog campaign.

By the end of the 1st year of this project, we will have completed the following major tasks:

Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval: Massachusetts General Hospita (MGH) and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have approved the protocols for conducting the required human subject testing.

Reviews: Towards project Aim 1, we conducted a detailed literature review to identify risk factors that contribute to personal (and team) dysfunction in isolated, confined, and extreme (ICE) environments, along with potential sensory CM approaches. A manuscript is being prepared on this topic. In addition, we have conducted a thorough review on the role of music in the modulation of mental states and performance. A manuscript is also being completed on this topic.

Platform Development & Testing: Towards project Aim 2, we designed and assembled the Phase 1 version of P-POP, which seeks to enhance user performance based on optimizing the musical playlist to meet the desired subject activation state. Numerous key variables need to be considered, given that vocal music can interfere with complex/verbal tasks, and variables such as musical mode, tempo, dynamics, texture, and articulation all have the potential to both positively and adversely interact with the subject’s activation state. We are now initiating the testing portion of Phase 1 development, which will help us characterize the effect direction and magnitude of these variables on human performance. We are simultaneously beginning to plan Phase 2 of the platform which will integrate a lighting CM.

AIM 1: Perform a detailed risk assessment of factors that contribute to personal (and team) dysfunction, particularly in isolated, confined, and extreme environments.

AIM 2: Develop a personalized performance-optimization platform (P-POP) based on closed-loop/feedback that integrates physiological sensing with augmentation of the astronaut’s local working environment (e.g., audio, haptics, light).

AIM 3: Characterize the ability of P-POP to improve key performance capabilities including attention, response time, memory, cognitive control, and operationally-relevant performance.

AIM 4: Assess the feasibility, acceptability, and efficacy of our proposed platform for use in individuals and teams via empirical testing during long-duration spaceflight analogs.

HYPOTHESES: (Hyp1) The novel P-POP will provide real-time physiological monitoring to enable the personalized manipulation of the local work environment—both in the lab and in Human Exploration Research Analog (HERA). (Hyp2) Our targeted work environment modulations (e.g., sound, haptics, light) will generate significant improvements in individuals’ cognitive and operational performance.

DELIVERABLES: Our project will generate the following deliverables: (1) a characterization of those factors that contribute to poor individual and team performance in isolated, confined, and extreme (ICE) settings; (2) a novel platform technology capable of real-time tracking of psychological and behavioral health markers and providing targeted augmentation of the local work environment to manipulate those markers; (3) an evaluation of the feasibility, acceptability, and efficacy of the proposed platform technology, on both individual and team metrics, including testing in a spaceflight analog. Based on our findings, we will develop specific protocols and guidelines for optimal deployment of our platform, as well as providing standards recommendations.

SIGNIFICANCE: This work will provide NASA with a novel and scalable platform technology for on-board behavioral health management—adapting the local working environment via feedback based biosensing. The approach is personalized and closed-loop, guiding individuals away from less-optimal states (as assessed by physiological measurements) and towards more-optimal states. We expect the approach to help maintain and improve individual performance as well as team performance. The system does not require video displays or graphics. Importantly, however, the platform will be designed for future augmentation via other countermeasure approaches (e.g., visual, olfactory), depending on the needs and capabilities of any particular exploration mission. On Earth, such a platform could have considerable utility for optimizing human performance in a wide range of workplaces.