Evaluating the Effectiveness of Graduated Stress Exposure in Virtual Spaceflight Hazard Training
Date
Authors
Major Professor
Advisor
Committee Member
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Authors
Research Projects
Organizational Units
The Department of Aerospace Engineering seeks to instruct the design, analysis, testing, and operation of vehicles which operate in air, water, or space, including studies of aerodynamics, structure mechanics, propulsion, and the like.
History
The Department of Aerospace Engineering was organized as the Department of Aeronautical Engineering in 1942. Its name was changed to the Department of Aerospace Engineering in 1961. In 1990, the department absorbed the Department of Engineering Science and Mechanics and became the Department of Aerospace Engineering and Engineering Mechanics. In 2003 the name was changed back to the Department of Aerospace Engineering.
Dates of Existence
1942-present
Historical Names
- Department of Aerospace Engineering and Engineering Mechanics (1990-2003)
Related Units
- College of Engineering (parent college)
- Department of Engineering Science and Mechanics (merged with, 1990)
Journal Issue
Is Version Of
Versions
Series
Department
Abstract
Psychological and physiological stress experienced by astronauts can pose risks to mission success. In clinical settings, gradually increasing stressors help patients develop resilience. It is unclear whether graduated stress exposure can affect responses to acute stressors during spaceflight. This study evaluated psychophysiological responses to potentially catastrophic spaceflight operation, with and without graduated stress exposure, using a virtual reality environment. Twenty healthy participants were tasked with locating a fire on a virtual International Space Station (VR-ISS). After orientation, the treatment group (n = 10) practiced searching for a fire while exposed to a low-level stressor (light smoke), while the control group (n = 10) practiced without smoke. In the testing session, both groups responded to a fire while the VR-ISS unexpectedly filled with heavy smoke. Heart rate variability and blood pressure were measured continuously. Subjective workload was evaluated with the NASA Task Load Index, stress with the Short Stress State Questionnaire, and stress exposure with time-to-complete. During the heavy smoke condition, the control group showed parasympathetic withdrawal, indicating a mild stress response. The treatment group retained parasympathetic control. Thus, graduated stress exposure may enhance allostasis and relaxation behavior when confronted with a subsequent stressful condition.
Comments
This is a manuscript of an article published as Finseth, Tor T., Nir Keren, Michael C. Dorneich, Warren D. Franke, Clayton C. Anderson, and Mack C. Shelley. "Evaluating the Effectiveness of Graduated Stress Exposure in Virtual Spaceflight Hazard Training." Journal of Cognitive Engineering and Decision Making (2018): 248-268. DOI: 10.1177/1555343418775561. Posted with permission.