Thigh Cuff
Description: This study aims to prevent spaceflight associated neuro-ocular syndrome (SANS), a condition associated with brain changes and swelling of the back of the eye. SANS develops as body fluids shift toward the head in the absence of gravity. This research explores if wearing tight thigh cuffs could counter this problem by keeping more bodily fluids in the legs.
Thigh cuffs are compact, lightweight, and easy to use, which makes them appealing for potential use in deeper space. Participating crew members wear the thigh cuffs for six hours during two separate sessions. To help researchers measure how well the cuffs work, crew members record vision and blood flow changes. They use tools including ultrasound images of blood flow in their legs and neck veins during the sessions and compare the data taken without the cuffs for flow comparisons.
Impact: Results from Thigh Cuff could lead to the development of protocols to protect astronauts’ eyes and overall vision for deep space missions.
Type of study: Flight
Formal project title: Mitigating Headward Fluid Shifts with Veno-constrictive Thigh Cuffs during Spaceflight
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