AttentivU for Stress Management in Space Missions

(P-POP Trial)

Recruiting at 1 trial location

Overseen By Gary Strangman, PhD

Age: 18 - 65

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Massachusetts General Hospital

Disqualifiers: Neurological, psychiatric disorders, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

Duration: 6 weeks

80 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial aims to test a new device called AttentivU, designed to help manage stress in challenging environments, such as future space missions. Researchers seek to determine if this device can improve performance by adapting the surroundings based on feedback from body sensors. Participants will perform tasks with and without the device to assess its effects. Ideal candidates can sit still, stay awake during sessions, and have good vision and hearing, but do not have neurological or psychiatric disorders. As an unphased trial, this study offers an opportunity to contribute to innovative research that could enhance stress management in extreme environments.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It's best to discuss this with the trial coordinators or your doctor.

What prior data suggests that this platform technology is safe for stress management in space missions?

Research has shown that AttentivU offers a new method for astronauts to manage stress during space missions. It uses non-invasive sensors to monitor stress levels and adjust the environment to help astronauts remain calm. This technology aims to reduce stress without causing harm.

Although specific safety data for AttentivU is not available, the trial's advanced stage suggests a degree of safety. The treatment is non-invasive, meaning it does not involve surgery or entering the body, which generally makes it safer and more comfortable for participants.

No clear evidence of negative side effects exists, and similar technologies have been well-tolerated in other contexts. For any concerns, discussing them with the trial team can provide more detailed information. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about AttentivU for stress management in space missions because it offers a non-invasive approach to monitoring and managing stress levels. Unlike traditional treatments that often rely on medication or counseling, AttentivU uses sensors and effectors to assess and influence physiological responses in real-time. This innovative method allows astronauts to perform tasks both with and without the device, potentially providing immediate feedback and intervention to maintain optimal stress levels during missions.

What evidence suggests that the AttentivU device is effective for stress management in space missions?

Research has shown that AttentivU, a personalized tool, might help manage stress during space missions. This system uses sensors to track physical changes and adjusts the environment to support mental health and performance. Studies suggest that managing stress in space, such as isolation and heavy workloads, is crucial for maintaining mental sharpness and emotional stability. Although researchers are still evaluating AttentivU's effectiveness, it is designed to reduce the negative effects of space travel on mental health. This new approach appears promising for helping astronauts remain mentally strong during long missions. Participants in this trial will perform standardized tasks both with and without AttentivU to assess its effectiveness. ^{1 2 4 6 7}

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for individuals who may be part of future long-duration space missions and will face stressors like high workload, sleep issues, isolation, and communication delays. The study aims to help maintain optimal cognitive and behavioral functioning.

Inclusion Criteria

I am willing to participate in the study.

My vision and hearing are normal or corrected to be normal.

I can stay awake and sit still during tests.

Exclusion Criteria

Participation in a prior study associated with this protocol (due to the learning curve on some of the behavioral tests)

I have been diagnosed with a brain or mental health condition.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants perform standardized tasks with and without countermeasures over 6 weeks, with psychophysiological assessments using non-invasive sensors

6 weeks

Multiple testing periods per week

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

4 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• AttentivU

Trial Overview The AttentivU platform is being tested. It's a personalized technology that adjusts the working environment based on biosensor feedback to manage behavioral health and optimize performance in challenging conditions.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Study Population Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

With multiple testing periods per week over the course of 6 weeks. Participants will perform the standardized tasks both with and without deployment of the countermeasure during this period. Psychophysiological assessment and countermeasure deployment will be conducted with non-invasive sensors for physiological monitoring and non-invasive effectors.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Massachusetts General Hospital

Lead Sponsor

Trials

3,066

Recruited

13,430,000+

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)

Collaborator

Trials

2

Recruited

200+

Citations

1. media.mit.edu media.mit.edu/projects/attentivu-p-pop/overview/

Personalized Performance-Optimization Platform (AttentivU In order to keep astronauts healthy, productive, and to mitigate against mission-related disruptions arising from decrements in behavioral health and ...

2. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10632511/

Long-term spaceflight composite stress induces depression ... This kind of long-term spaceflight composite stress (LSCS) could also induce depression and cognitive impairment in various ways.

3. ntrs.nasa.gov ntrs.nasa.gov/api/citations/20160004365/downloads/20160004365.pdf

Behavioral Health and Performance Element BHP research is focused on risk mitigation for exploration missions, defined as missions that go beyond low Earth orbit (BLEO). Some BHP research is focused ...

4. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0094576522005318

The psychology and mental health of the spaceflight ... This review will take the form of a scoping review that will identify the need for future research in the field of space psychology.

5. frontiersin.org frontiersin.org/journals/physiology/articles/10.3389/fphys.2024.1451269/full

Cognitive performance in ISS astronauts on 6-month low ... We systematically assessed cognitive performance across 10 cognitive domains in astronauts on 6-month missions to the ISS.

6. ntrs.nasa.gov ntrs.nasa.gov/api/citations/20190032493/downloads/20190032493.pdf

Psychophysiological Monitoring of Aerospace Crew State Metabolic and heart rate data are also available from flight operations. However, compared to the current microgravity EVA on the International ...

7. frontiersin.org frontiersin.org/journals/physiology/articles/10.3389/fphys.2024.1284644/full

Long-term space missions' effects on the human organism It involves identifying large hazards for space flights based on the elements of space missions: destination, duration, gravitational and ...