Authors: Seaton, Kimberly A.; Slack, Kelley J.; Sipes, Walter A.; Bowie, Kendra E.

Source: Aviation, Space, and Environmental Medicine, Volume 80, Supplement 1, May 2009 , pp. A62-A65(4)

Publisher: Aerospace Medical Association

Abstract:

Seaton KA, Slack KJ, Sipes WA, Bowie KE. Cognitive functioning in long-duration head-down bed rest. Aviat Space Environ Med 2009; 80(5,Suppl.):A62-5.

Introduction: This report is one of a series on the Flight Analog Project, which is designed to lay the groundwork for a standard bed rest protocol. The Spaceflight Cognitive Assessment Tool for Windows (WinSCAT) is a self-administered battery of tests used on the International Space Station for evaluating cognitive functioning. Here, WinSCAT was used to assess cognitive functioning during extended head-down bed rest. Methods: There were 13 subjects who participated in 60 or 90 d of head-down bed rest and took WinSCAT during the pre-bed rest phase, the in-bed rest phase, and the post-bed rest (reconditioning) phase of study participation. Results: After adjusting for individual baseline performance, 12 off-nominal scores were observed out of 351 total observations during bed rest and 7 of 180 during reconditioning. No evidence was found for systematic changes in off-nominal incidence as time in bed rest progressed, or during the reconditioning period. Discussion: Cognitive functioning does not appear to be adversely affected by long-duration head-down bed rest. Individual differences in underlying cognitive ability and motivation level are likely explanations for the current findings.

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Keywords: WinSCAT; spaceflight; cognitive function assessment tool

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3357/ASEM.BR09.2009

Publication date: 2009-05-01

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