Fact Sheet

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Actiwatch (Actiwatch)
11.14.08
Scientists and payload developers can get more information on International Space Station research facilities by contacting the ISS Payloads Office or at 281-244-6187.

Overview | Description | Applications | Operations | Results | Publications | Images

Facility/Payload Overview

Brief Facility Summary

The Actiwatch is a waterproof, non-intrusive, wrist-worn sleep/wake activity monitor. The device contains a miniature uniaxial accelerometer that produces a signal as the subject moves. The data are then stored within the Actiwatch in non-volatile memory ready for download and analysis.

Facility Manager(s)

  • Cynthia Haven, Johnson Space Center, Houston, TX

    • Co-Facility Manager(s)

    Information Pending

    Facility Developer

    Cambridge Neurotechnology Ltd., Cambridge, United Kingdom

    Sponsoring Agency

    National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

    Expeditions Assigned

    |14|15|16|17|18|

    Previous ISS Missions

    The Actiwatch has supported investigations on several Space Shuttle missions.

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    Facility/Payload Description

    Facility Summary

    • The Actiwatch monitor provides data on the amount of ambient light the subject is exposed to and the amount of movement produced by the subject.


    • The data collected from the Actiwatch is used to determine if space travel has an impact on the sleep/wake patterns of crewmembers.

    Description

    The Actiwatch is a small lightweight, limb-worn device that simultaneously detects body movement and light intensity. It is used to evaluate sleep/wake adaptation and circadian cycle. The device is battery powered and can be used to collect data continuously with intervals ranging from 90 hours to 227 days depending on the sampling rate. The internal non-volatile memory and programming allows the Actiwatch to store data indefinitely until it can be downloaded.

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    Operations

    Facility Operations

    Crewmembers will put on the Actiwatch as required by the investigation, download data from the Actiwatch as needed and change the battery at the end of the increment. The Actiwatch provides computer software for setup and data retrieval through a connection to a PC via a RS-232 serial port. The PC must be IBM compatible, 486 processor (minimum), 8 MB RAM (minimum), Windows 95, 98 or Windows NT 4.0 or higher, 100MB hard drive, 9-pin RS-232 serial port, Super Video Graphics Array 9 SVGA -800 x 600 pixels required to display all data displays).

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    Results/More Information

    Information Pending

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    Availability

  • Operated on ISS

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    Related Web Sites
  • Cambridge Neurotechnology Ltd.

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    Publications

    Results Publications

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      Related Publications
      • Mallis MM, DeRoishia CW. Circadian Rhythms, Sleep, and Performance in Space. Aviation Space and Environmental Medicine. ;76(6 Suppl): B94-107. 2005
      • Monk TH, Buysse DJ, Billy BJ. Using daily 30-min phase advances to achieve a 6-hour advance: Circadian rhythm, sleep, and alertness. Aviation Space and Environmental Medicine. ;77(7): 677-686. 2006

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      Images

      imageNASA Image: S109E6062: View of STS-109 Commander Scott Altman activating the Actiwatch while seated at the pilot's station on the orbiter Columbia's forward flight deck.
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      Information Provided and Updated by the ISS Program Scientist's Office
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