Assessment of the Psychophysiological State of Female Operators Under Simulated Microgravity

Abstract

The article describes methods of non-verbal speech characteristics analysis used to determine psychophysiological state of female subjects under simulated microgravity conditions (“dry” immersion, DI), as well as the results of the study. A number of indicators of the acute period of adaptation to microgravity conditions was described. The acute adaptation period in female subjects began earlier (evening of the 1st day of DI) and ended faster than in male ones in previous studies (2nd day of DI). This was indicated by a decrease in the level of state anxiety (STAI, p < 0,05) and depression-dejection [Profile of Mood States (POMS), p < 0,05], as well as a decrease in pitch (p < 0,05) and voice intensity (p < 0,05). In addition, women, apparently, used the “freeze” coping strategy – the proportion of neutral facial expressions on the most intense days of the experiment was at maximum. The subjects in this experiment assessed their feelings and emotions better, giving more accurate answers in self-assessment questionnaires, but at the same time tried to look and sound as calm and confident as possible, controlling their expressions. Same trends in the subjects’ cognitive performance were identified as in similar experimental conditions earlier: the subjects’ psychophysiological excitement corresponded to better performance in sensorimotor tasks. The difference was in the speed of mathematical computation: women in the present study performed the computation faster on the same days when they made fewer pauses in speech, while in men in previous experiments this relationship was inverse.

Comprehensive assessment of physiological responses in women during the ESA dry immersion VIVALDI microgravity simulation

“…A methodological comparison can be done with a first DI study in women of reproductive age, Naiad-2020, which was conducted in Russia in September-November 2020 9 – 11 . This pilot DI lasted for 3 days and included 6 healthy women of 24–39 yrs.…”

“…Until 2020, only male volunteers took part in DI studies, primarily because mainly men participated in actual spaceflights, but also because urination in the DI bath is more complicated for women. A first pilot 3-day non-strict DI study in 6 healthy women was conducted in Russia in September–November 2020 9 – 11 , using a special urine collector. It yielded novel data and demonstrated feasibility, tolerance, and the absence of substantial medical risks for DI with female participants.…”