The NASA Task Book

Responsible Center: NASA JSC Grant Monitor: Villarreal, Jennifer Center Contact: 281-483-7306 jennifer.v311larreal@nasa.gov Unique ID: 9434	Solicitation / Funding Source: Directed Research Grant/Contract No.: Directed Research Project Type: FLIGHT Flight Program: Shuttle TechPort: Yes	No. of Post Docs: No. of PhD Candidates: No. of Master's Candidates: No. of Bachelor's Candidates:	No. of PhD Degrees: No. of Master's Degrees: No. of Bachelor's Degrees:

Human Research Program Elements:	(1) HHC:Human Health Countermeasures

Human Research Program Risks:	None

Human Research Program Gaps:	None

Task Description:	One of the most important physiological changes that may negatively impact crew safety is post-flight orthostatic intolerance. Astronauts who have orthostatic intolerance are unable to maintain a normal systolic blood pressure during head-up tilt, have elevated heart rates, and may experience presyncope or syncope with upright posture. This problem affects about 20-30% of astronauts who fly short-duration missions (4–18 days) and 60-80% of astronauts who fly long-duration missions. This condition creates a potential hazard for crew members during re-entry and after landing, especially for emergency egress contingencies. Two countermeasures are currently employed to ameliorate post-flight orthostatic intolerance: fluid loading and an anti-gravity suit. Unfortunately, neither of these is completely effective for all phases of landing and egress; thus, continued countermeasure development is important. Preliminary evidence has shown that commercial graded compression garments that include abdominal compression can significantly improve orthostatic tolerance. The specific aims of this study were: 1. Evaluate custom-fitted, commercial compression garments as countermeasures to post-flight orthostatic intolerance during stand tests performed before and after spaceflight. 2. Determine if these garments, which provide a continuous, graded compression from the foot to the hip, with a static compression over the lower abdomen, provide superior fit and comfort as well as being easier to don.

Research Impact/Earth Benefits:

Task Progress & Bibliography Information FY2012

Task Progress:

Results from this study indicate that the gradient compression garments prevented the tachycardia and stroke volume reduction normally associated with a 3.5 min stand test after spaceflight. The garments show promise as a countermeasure against post-spaceflight orthostatic intolerance, can be easily donned, and are relatively comfortable to wear. The efficacy of the garments should be validated after and during recovery from long-duration spaceflight.

[Ed. note 9/12/13: information from PI's Task Book Initial Entry Form, provided September 2013]

Bibliography:

Description: (Last Updated: 03/01/2018)

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Articles in Peer-reviewed Journals	Stenger MB, Lee SM, Westby CM, Ribeiro LC, Phillips TR, Martin DS, Platts SH. "Abdomen-high elastic gradient compression garments during post-spaceflight stand tests." Aviat Space Environ Med. 2013 May;84(5):459-66. PMID: 23713210 , May-2013

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Project Title: Evaluation of Commercial Compression Garments as a Countermeasure to Post-Spaceflight Orthostatic Intolerance (OIG DSO641)

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Fiscal Year: FY 2010
Division: Human Research
Research Discipline/Element:
HRP HHC:Human Health Countermeasures

Start Date: 02/17/2010
End Date: 04/30/2012
Task Last Updated: 09/12/2013

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Principal Investigator/Affiliation: Platts, Steven H. Ph.D. / NASA Johnson Space Center

Address:

Cardiovascular Laboratory
Biomedical Research and Environmental Sciences Division
Houston , TX 77058

Email: steven.platts-1@nasa.gov
Phone: 281-483-8177
Congressional District: 36
Web:

Organization Type: NASA CENTER
Organization Name: NASA Johnson Space Center
Joint Agency:
Comments:

Co-Investigator(s)
Affiliation:

Locke, James Ph.D.	NASA Johnson Space Center
Stenger, Michael Ph.D.	Wyle Laboratories, Inc./NASA Johnson Space Center
Lee, Stuart M.S.	Wyle Laboratories, Inc./NASA Johnson Space Center
Westby, Christian Ph.D.	Universities Space Research Association

Project Information: Grant/Contract No. Directed Research

Responsible Center: NASA JSC Grant Monitor: Villarreal, Jennifer Center Contact: 281-483-7306 jennifer.v311larreal@nasa.gov Unique ID: 9434	Solicitation / Funding Source: Directed Research Grant/Contract No.: Directed Research Project Type: FLIGHT Flight Program: Shuttle TechPort: Yes	No. of Post Docs: No. of PhD Candidates: No. of Master's Candidates: No. of Bachelor's Candidates:	No. of PhD Degrees: No. of Master's Degrees: No. of Bachelor's Degrees:

Human Research Program Elements:	(1) HHC:Human Health Countermeasures

Human Research Program Risks:	None

Human Research Program Gaps:	None

Task Description:	One of the most important physiological changes that may negatively impact crew safety is post-flight orthostatic intolerance. Astronauts who have orthostatic intolerance are unable to maintain a normal systolic blood pressure during head-up tilt, have elevated heart rates, and may experience presyncope or syncope with upright posture. This problem affects about 20-30% of astronauts who fly short-duration missions (4–18 days) and 60-80% of astronauts who fly long-duration missions. This condition creates a potential hazard for crew members during re-entry and after landing, especially for emergency egress contingencies. Two countermeasures are currently employed to ameliorate post-flight orthostatic intolerance: fluid loading and an anti-gravity suit. Unfortunately, neither of these is completely effective for all phases of landing and egress; thus, continued countermeasure development is important. Preliminary evidence has shown that commercial graded compression garments that include abdominal compression can significantly improve orthostatic tolerance. The specific aims of this study were: 1. Evaluate custom-fitted, commercial compression garments as countermeasures to post-flight orthostatic intolerance during stand tests performed before and after spaceflight. 2. Determine if these garments, which provide a continuous, graded compression from the foot to the hip, with a static compression over the lower abdomen, provide superior fit and comfort as well as being easier to don.

Research Impact/Earth Benefits:

Task Progress & Bibliography Information FY2010

Task Progress:

New project for FY2010.

[Ed. note 9/12/2013: added to Task Book when received information from HRP]

Bibliography:

Description: (Last Updated: 03/01/2018)

Show Cumulative Bibliography

None in FY 2010

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