Long-duration space exploration and emotional health: Recommendations for conceptualizing and evaluating risk

Alfano, Candice A.; Bower, Joanne L.; Cowie, Jennifer; Lau, Simon; Simpson, Richard J.

doi:10.1016/j.actaastro.2017.11.009

Cited by 34 publications

(24 citation statements)

References 71 publications

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“…37,40 As immune dysregulation during spaceflight is largely seen as a stress-induced phenomenon, 1 we contend that exercise training interventions designed to reduce the effects of stress during space travel (eg, due to confinement, isolation, concerns for own safety, etc) and promote behavioral health may have the added benefit of protecting the immune system. 41 The present findings reporting associations between measures of physical fitness and latent viral reactivation might influence the physical conditioning selection criteria for future exploration class mission crew. Currently, ISS crewmembers are expected to attain a minimum V O 2max of 32.9 ml min −1 kg −1 and to have muscle strength and function scores within normal values of the astronaut population, adjusted for age and sex.…”

Section: F I G U R Ementioning

confidence: 72%

“…Indeed, a TH 2 ‐cytokine shift has also been reported in astronauts who reactivated a latent herpes virus during a 14‐day shuttle mission, while results from ex vivo studies support that glucocorticoids may enhance EBV reactivation and replication . As immune dysregulation during spaceflight is largely seen as a stress‐induced phenomenon, we contend that exercise training interventions designed to reduce the effects of stress during space travel (eg, due to confinement, isolation, concerns for own safety, etc) and promote behavioral health may have the added benefit of protecting the immune system …”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 89%

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Exercise as a countermeasure for latent viral reactivation during long duration space flight

et al. 2020

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Latent viral reactivation is a commonly reported manifestation of immune system dysregulation during spaceflight. As physical fitness and exercise training have been shown to benefit multiple arms of the immune system, we hypothesized that higher levels of preflight physical fitness and/or maintaining fitness during a mission would protect astronauts from latent viral reactivation. Standardized tests of maximal strength, muscular endurance, flexibility, and cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) were performed in 22 international space station (ISS) crewmembers before and after a ~6month mission. Reactivation of cytomegalovirus (CMV), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), and varicella zoster virus (VZV) was determined in crewmembers and ground-based controls before, during, and after spaceflight. Crewmembers with higher CRF before spaceflight had a 29% reduced risk of latent viral reactivation compared to crew with lower CRF. Higher preflight upper body muscular endurance was associated with a 39% reduced risk of viral reactivation, a longer time to viral reactivation, and lower peak viral DNA concentrations, particularly for EBV and VZV. Latent viral reactivation rates were highest in crew with lower preflight CRF and higher levels of CRF deconditioning on return to Earth. We conclude that physical fitness may protect astronauts from latent viral reactivation during long duration spaceflight missions. K E Y W O R D S astronauts, cytomegalovirus (CMV), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), functional fitness tests, immune dysregulation, varicella zoster virus (VZV), V O 2max 2870 |

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Section: F I G U R Ementioning

confidence: 72%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 89%

Exercise as a countermeasure for latent viral reactivation during long duration space flight

et al. 2020

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“…For most people, it stands to reason that governmentally mandated lockdowns decrease their activity levels and the number of stimuli experienced compared to pre-lockdown levels. The impact of reducing activities, stimuli and routines on the population is unknown, but various analogue situations can be used to make predictions, like death of a spouse [3]; hearing loss [4]; job loss [5]; long duration expeditions [6]; poor acculturation [7]; and even ageing when combined with loneliness [8]. Each of these situations is associated with increases in psychological distress.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on mental health: An international study

et al. 2020

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Background The COVID-19 pandemic triggered vast governmental lockdowns. The impact of these lockdowns on mental health is inadequately understood. On the one hand such drastic changes in daily routines could be detrimental to mental health. On the other hand, it might not be experienced negatively, especially because the entire population was affected. Methods The aim of this study was to determine mental health outcomes during pandemic induced lockdowns and to examine known predictors of mental health outcomes. We therefore surveyed n = 9,565 people from 78 countries and 18 languages. Outcomes assessed were stress, depression, affect, and wellbeing. Predictors included country, sociodemographic factors, lockdown characteristics, social factors, and psychological factors. Results Results indicated that on average about 10% of the sample was languishing from low levels of mental health and about 50% had only moderate mental health. Importantly, three consistent predictors of mental health emerged: social support, education level, and psychologically flexible (vs. rigid) responding. Poorer outcomes were most strongly predicted by a worsening of finances and not having access to basic supplies. Conclusions These results suggest that on whole, respondents were moderately mentally healthy at the time of a population-wide lockdown. The highest level of mental health difficulties were found in approximately 10% of the population. Findings suggest that public health initiatives should target people without social support and those whose finances worsen as a result of the lockdown. Interventions that promote psychological flexibility may mitigate the impact of the pandemic.

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“…During a 520-day analog Mars mission which included 6 individuals, 4 out of six indicated sleep pattern disturbances at some point of the study, and one of them developed symptoms of mild depression as indicated by the Beck Depression Inventory -Second Edition (BDI-II questionnaire) (Basner et al 2014). However, Alfano et al in their 2018 paper indicate studies in which there were no significant mood differences throughout the space flights and some in which some members of the crew developed positive emotions such as the sense of being accomplished (Alfano et al 2018).…”

Section: Isolation and Confinementmentioning

confidence: 99%

Brain in Space. How Does Space Affect the Human Brain?

Kołodziej¹,

Zdunek²

2021

IRONS

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Introduction Nowadays more and more people and international companies are interested in Human Spaceflights. Aim and method In this review, the negative effects from space radiation, microgravity and the factor of isolation on the central nervous system will be described in relation to space neuroscience and the relevant studies examined. Results Space radiation can damage neuronal connections with both acute and chronic effects, manifested as altered cognitive function, reduced motor function, and behavioral changes. Moreover, some astronauts report a condition known as Spaceflight Associated Neuro-ocular Syndrome (SANS). The brain scans performed upon those astronauts, who came back from space travel suggest that due to reduced gravity conditions the brain and the fluids in the human body shift upwards, which increases pressure in the skull and may result in opticnerve swelling that causes blurred vision. Another interesting part of space neuroscience is the research of structural neuroplasticity. A study conducted on cosmonauts revealed an increase in the neuronal tissue of sensorimotor structures responsible for movement coordination. In addition to the space radiation and microgravity, long-term confinement also affects the microstructure of the brain white matter, which was proven in the study that used DTI (Diffusion Tensor Imaging). Conclusions To conclude, to continue understanding the risks posed by spaceflight to astronauts’ health research in the field of space neuroscience is important. In addition, the acquired insight could be relevant for terrestrial vestibular patients, patients with neurodegenerative disorders, as well as the elderly population, coping with neurological deficits. Keywords: space medicine, brain, space neuroscience, SANS, space radiation.

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Long-duration space exploration and emotional health: Recommendations for conceptualizing and evaluating risk

Cited by 34 publications

References 71 publications

Exercise as a countermeasure for latent viral reactivation during long duration space flight

Exercise as a countermeasure for latent viral reactivation during long duration space flight

Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on mental health: An international study

Brain in Space. How Does Space Affect the Human Brain?

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