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Experiment/Payload OverviewBrief Summary
The Psychomotor Vigilance Self Test on the International Space Station (Reaction Self Test) is a portable 5-minute reaction time task that will allow the crewmembers to monitor the daily effects of fatigue on performance while on board the International Space Station.
Principal InvestigatorInformation Pending
Payload DeveloperJohnson Space Center, Human Research Program, Houston, TX
Sponsoring AgencyNational Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
Expeditions Assigned|19/20 |21/22 |23/24 |25/26 |27/28|
Previous ISS MissionsThis test has been previously performed during the NASA Extreme Environment Mission Operation (NEEMO) missions 9, 12 and 13.
Experiment/Payload Description
Research Summary
- The Psychomotor Vigilance Self Test on the International Space Station (Reaction Self Test) can aid astronauts to objectively identify when their performance capability is degraded by various fatigue-related conditions that can occur as a result of ISS operations and time in space (e.g., acute and chronic sleep restriction, slam shifts, extravehicular activity (EVA), and residual sedation from sleep medications).
- It will evaluate the extent to which Reaction Self Test performance of ISS crewmembers is sensitive to fatigue from sleep loss and circadian disruption during the mission, fatigue from work intensity during the mission, decline of performance with time during the mission, and carry-over effects of medications for sleep on ISS.
- It will also evaluate the extent to which Reaction Self Test performance feedback (via a graphical interface) is perceived by ISS crewmembers as a useful tool for assessing performance capability.
The Psychomotor Vigilance Self Test on the International Space Station (Reaction Self Test) was developed to provide astronauts with objective feedback on neurobehavioral changes in vigilant attention, psychomotor speed, state stability, and impulsivity while on ISS missions. The Reaction Self Test is ideal for repeated use in space flight because unlike other cognitive tests, it is very brief while being free of learning effects and aptitude differences that make interpretation of other cognitive measures difficult. The Reaction Self Test was successfully deployed in three NASA Extreme Environment Mission Operation (NEEMO) missions (9, 12 and 13) and found to be acceptable by the 12 astronauts, whose data provided a normative database for development of a feedback interface for the Reaction Self Test to alert astronauts to their performance level. These data support the readiness of the Reaction Self Test for deployment and study on ISS.br />
The following are the specific aims of the project:
- To evaluate the extent to which Reaction Self Test performance of astronauts is sensitive to fatigue from sleep loss and circadian disruption during ISS missions. This will include the following conditions evaluated individually and in aggregate:
- extended wake duration between 16 hours
- sleep restriction defined as total sleep time greater than 0 and less than 6 hours per 24-hour period
- circadian perturbation associated with night work and slam shifting.
- To evaluate the extent to which Reaction Self Test performance of astronauts is sensitive to fatigue from work intensity during ISS missions. This will include the following conditions evaluated individually and in aggregate:
- extend work durations up to 16 hours per day
- more than 6 consecutive work days without a day off for rest
- work requiring extravehicular activity (EVA).
- To evaluate the extent to which Reaction Self Test performance of astronauts declines with time in mission.
- To evaluate the extent to which Reaction Self Test performance of astronauts will be sensitive to the carry-over effects of medications for sleep (e.g., zolpidem, ramelteon, etc.) on ISS.
- To evaluate the extent to which Reaction Self Test performance feedback (via a graphical interface) is perceived by ISS astronauts as a useful tool for assessing performance capability. This will be addressed throughout the mission by astronaut ratings.
Applications
Space Applications
The Reaction Self Test can aid astronauts to objectively identify when their performance capability is degraded by various fatigue-related conditions that can occur as a result of ISS operations and time in space. The project addresses a number of high-priority NASA Behavioral Health and Performance (BHP) research gaps including (1) identification of the best measure for assessing decrements in cognitive function due to fatigue and other aspects of spaceflight; (2) determination of an individual astronauts vulnerability to sleep loss; (3) establishment of cognition decline or change during long-duration missions (LDM); and (4) facilitation of ways for crewmembers and ground support to detect and compensate for decreased cognitive readiness to perform in space.
Earth ApplicationsThe PI developed the original 10-minute Psychomotor Vigilance Test (PVT), which the Reaction Self Test was derived from, to measure changes in psychomotor speed, lapses of attention, wake state instability, and impulsivity induced by fatigue and other performance-degrading factors commonly found in operational environments. Based on research supported by federal and non-US federal agencies, as well as the pharmaceutical industry, the 10-minute PVT has been extensively validated in laboratory studies, simulators and operational environments to be sensitive to a variety of performance-degrading fatigue-related factors.
Operations
Operational Requirements
A minimum of 24 long-duration ISS crewmembers are needed as subjects for the experiment. The preflight sessions are at L-180, L-150, L-120, L-90, L-60, L-30, and L-7 through L 1. The postflight sessions are from R+0 to R+7 and R+30, R+60, and R+90. The inflight session will be performed twice a day every 4th day of the mission starting on FD31. In addition to completing the test twice a day every 4th day, crewmembers will be requested to complete the Reaction Self Test twice per day on each day of a sleep shift in addition to twice a day 3 days preceding a sleep shift, and Reaction Self Test twice per day for 5 days following the sleep shift. Crewmembers will also be requested to perform the Reaction Self Test twice on the day preceding an EVA, and once immediately after the EVA and all its related activities have been completed.
Operational ProtocolsDuring flight, it is imperative that the Reaction Self Test be completed regularly through the entire mission. The Reaction Self Test will use the HRF laptop or Station Support Computer (SSC) and will take about 5minutes to complete. It includes pre-test questions, the reaction time test and feedback displays on the computer. The crewmember will be requested to complete the Reaction Self Test twice a day every 4th day of the mission. In addition to completing the test twice a day every 4th day, crewmembers will be requested to complete the Reaction Self Test twice per day on each day of a sleep shift in addition to twice a day 3 days preceding a sleep shift, and Reaction Self Test twice per day for 5-days following the sleep shift. Crewmembers will also be requested to perform the Reaction Self Test twice on the day preceding an EVA, and once immediately after the EVA and all its related activities have been completed.
Results/More Information
Information Pending
Related Web Sites
Publications
Results Publications
Related Publications
Images
NASA Image: JSC2007E22737 - NASA flight surgeon Josef F. Schmid works with the Psychomotor Vigilance Test (Reaction Self Test) inside the undersea habitat for the 12th NASA Extreme Environment Mission Operations (NEEMO) mission. + View Larger Image
Information Provided and Updated by the ISS Program Scientist's Office