Biomedical science: Stress test for astronauts

Biomedical science

David Dinges, a scientist working with the National Space Biomedical Research Institute, is developing a test to help astronauts in space gauge their own stress and fatigue.

David Dinges: It’s remarkably simple. You would pull up on the computer the test, and up would come a series of questions, very short ones, asking you basically what are the conditions of today. Did you sleep last night? Have you had any space motion sickness? How tired are you now?

The test would measure how quickly astronauts push a button in response to a light flashing on a computer screen.

David Dinges: You just do that test for three minutes then you get a final score that says, here’s your percentage score on where you are compared to alert, capable astronauts.

Helping astronauts

This simple test could help astronauts gauge their fitness for performing critical tasks – like docking their ship to a space station or taking a space walk. Dinges said the test could also help people on Earth.

David Dinges: Whether you’re trying to understand whether people are safe operating transportation vehicles, long haul aircraft, trucks, etc., this test has potential value to a large number of contexts where you’d like to know who is fit and ready to perform and who isn’t.

Special thanks today to the National Space Biomedical Research Institute – innovations for health in space and on Earth.

Our thanks to:
David Dinges
University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine
Philadelphia, PA