Responsible Center: NASA JSC
Grant Monitor: Stenger, Michael
Center Contact: 281-483-1311 michael.b.stenger@nasa.gov
Unique ID: 14471
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Solicitation / Funding Source: Directed Research
Grant/Contract No.: Directed Research
Project Type: FLIGHT,GROUND
Flight Program: ISS
TechPort: No |
No. of Post Docs: 0
No. of PhD Candidates: 0
No. of Master's Candidates: 0
No. of Bachelor's Candidates: 0
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No. of PhD Degrees: 0
No. of Master's Degrees: 0
No. of Bachelor's Degrees: 0
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Human Research Program Elements: |
(1) HHC:Human Health Countermeasures
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Human Research Program Risks: |
(1) SANS:Risk of Spaceflight Associated Neuro-ocular Syndrome (SANS)
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Human Research Program Gaps: |
(1) SANS-501:Test the finalized combined mechanical/non-mechanical countermeasure in the spaceflight environment (on ISS).
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Task Description: |
This study will determine the ability of venoconstrictive thigh cuff (VTC) application for varying durations to mitigate the weightlessness-induced headward fluid shift during spaceflight for the purpose of evaluating this device as a countermeasure for SANS. The effects of varying durations of continuous VTC usage (~30 minutes, ~3 hours, and ~6 hours) on ocular and cardiovascular variables will be investigated. This proposed study will help determine the potential efficacy of VTC to mitigate the cephalad fluid shift that is hypothesized to be the primary initiating factor to SANS. The VTC countermeasure technique is low-mass, portable, simple to use and may be used for extended durations while working in an operational spaceflight environment. Specific Aim: 1) Determine the efficacy of VTC application to mitigate a spaceflight-induced headward fluid shift. We hypothesize that a VTC countermeasure will temporarily reverse or attenuate spaceflight-induced ocular and cardiovascular changes. |
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Rationale for HRP Directed Research: |
This research is directed because it contains highly constrained research. This study will determine the ability of veno-constrictive thigh cuffs (VTC) application for varying durations to mitigate the weightlessness-induced headward fluid shift during spaceflight for the purpose of evaluating this device as a countermeasure for Spaceflight Associated Neuro-ocular Syndrome (SANS). The effects of varying durations of continuous VTC usage (30 minutes, 3 hours, and 6 hours) on ocular and cardiovascular variables will be investigated. This proposed study will help determine the potential efficacy of VTC to mitigate the cephalad fluid shift that is hypothesized to be the primary initiating factor to SANS. The VTC countermeasure technique is low-mass, portable, simple to use and may be used for extended durations while working in an operational spaceflight environment. The investigator team has the required expertise to conduct this research and has experience from a ground study led by this team in 33 subjects who wore these VTC for up to ~2 hours while supine at rest. An updated VTC and microfiber sleeve have been developed and tested in these ground-based studies. |
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Research Impact/Earth Benefits: |
The Flight Thigh Cuff research study will advance NASA’s understanding of use of the VTC as a potential countermeasure for Spaceflight Associated Neuro-ocular Syndrome (SANS), an important human health and performance risk. This goal will be accomplished by quantifying vascular and ocular changes before and during spaceflight. Given the unique environment of the International Space Station, commonly used ophthalmic instruments are being implemented in novel operational environments (e.g., optical coherence tomography (OCT) and pneumotonometry). This work will help NASA to evaluate this spaceflight-associated risk more accurately and to refine its data-driven approach to SANS countermeasure development. |