Neurophysiological basics of operational performance
Conditions
Interventions
Group 1: Isolation group: Wintering at Concordia Station in the Antarctic
Group 2: Control group: carries out the study protocol on an outpatient basis in Cologne
Sponsors
Deutsches Zentrum für Luft und Raumfahrt - Institut für Luft- und Raumfahrtmedizin
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
20 Years to 65 Years
Inclusion criteria
Inclusion criteria: - Naïve to 6df spacecraft docking or similar tasks - No history of head injury or other neurological or psychiatric disorders - No history of cardiac disease, including ischemic heart disease, arrhythmia, hypertension, or syncope - Not taking any drugs known to effect neural or cardiovascular function - Ability to give a written and dated informed consent
Exclusion criteria
Exclusion criteria: - Current illegal drug use - Alcohol abuse - Participation in previous studies involving performance of 6df spacecraft docking or similar tasks
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| The primary endpoints are the performance and progress of the learning process in a complex manual control task (docking simulation). In addition to the time course (one measurement x months before, x monthly measurements during and one measurement x months after the isolation/main phase of the study), the comparison between the isolation group and the control group is also considered in order to identify possible deficits under isolation conditions. The accompanying measurements with the NinScan device (ECG, EEG, fNIRS) will be used to identify physiological correlates of operational performance and physiological changes under isolation. | — |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| Correlation of physiological and performance data with other variables: In the isolation group, hair and saliva samples are collected to determine cortisol, dehydroepiandrosterone, endocannabinoids and viral load, and data collected on Concordia as part of the Isolation Standard Measures are used (e.g. actigraphy to characterize sleep, questionnaires on mood, sleep, health and stress). In both groups, a short questionnaire with questions on sleep, mood and motivation is collected. In the control group, eye movements are also recorded using an eye tracker and associated with performance in the 6df simulation. In addition, cognitive performance is also assessed using a computerized oculomotor test battery and enables the correlation of docking performance with cognitive and sensorimotor abilities. | — |
Countries
Germany
Contacts
Public ContactEdwin Mulder
Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt - Institut für Luft- und Raumfahrtmedizin
Outcome results
None listed