Year:

2002

Title:
Development of an Index of Habitability Using Converging Indicators: Physiology,
Performance, and Subjective Reports Physiology, Performance, and Subjective Reports

Author:
Patricia S. Cowings
NASA AMES Research Center
CA

Task Description:
● Task Abstract/Description:
The purpose of this project is to develop and validate a quantitative method for assessing
environmental effects on individual crewmembers during spaceflight. This project will
involve analyses of data acquired during previous laboratory tests, field studies and
spaceflight. NASA Ames Psychophysiological Research Laboratory has a unique
database collected over a 25-year period on approximately 300 people exposed to a
variety of environmental stressors, and the effects of both behavioral and
pharmacological countermeasures on their stress tolerance. Previous research has shown
that the use of converging indicators (physiological and subjective self-report measures)
is a significantly more reliable method for assessing environmental effects on
performance than any one indicator alone. We anticipate that the deliverable from this
project will be a reliable methodology for accurately assessing microgravity effects on
individual crew performance and for evaluating countermeasures designed to facilitate
adaptation to space and readaptation to Earth.
● Task Progress:
1. Moved 30-year database (>6000 records) of human biomedical data from Sun Unix
platform to PC Linux-allowing outside users. 2. Began processing archived files (on
analog and digital tape) to add to database. 3. Began development of software for post-
processing (user interactive) biomedical data-Software will be made available to outside
users. 4. Began development of neural net software for improving the accuracy of
bioimpendance as a measure of cardiovascular dynamics. 5. performed data acquisition
and analyses for human centrifuge study examining individual differences in the ability
to adapt to sustained hyper-g. 6. Initiated database analyses on individual differences in
adaptation to stressful environments and effectiveness of countermeasures.
● Earth Benefits:
1. Pilot (military, private. Search) training/airsickness abatement and performance
enhancement. 2. Assessment and correction of environmental stressors effects on human
health and performance. 3. Effective treatment for nausea and low blood pressure in
various patient populations.
● NSCORT Background/History:
n/a
Bibliography Type:
• Abstracts for Journals and Proceedings
Cowings PS. , Toscano WB. Improving Operational Readiness on Earth and In
Space: Autogenic-Feedback Training Exercise. Proceedings of the American
Institute of Aviation and Astronautics (AIAA) Conference on Space Station
Utilization-Crew Payload Training for the International Space Station. October,
15 2001.Ref253AAAIAA-2001-5102.Pp 1260-1272.
• Articles in Peer-reviewed Journals
Rashed,H., Cutts,T., Abell, T. Cowings, P., Toscano, W., El-Gammal, A., Adl, D.
(2002). Predictors of Response to a Behavioral Treatment in Patients with
Chronic Gastric Motility Disorders. Digestive Diseases and Sciences,
Vol47(5):1020-1026.
Cowings, P.S., Keller M.A., Folen, R.A., Toscano, W.B., Burge, J.D. (2001).
Autogenic-Feedback Training Exercise Pilot Performance: Enhanced Functioning
Under Search and Rescue Flying Conditions. Int. J. Aviation Psych., 11(3), 305-
315.
Cowings, P.S., Toscano, W.B., DeRoshia, C., and Tauson, R. (2001) Effects of
Command and Control Vehicle (C2V) Operational Environment on Soldier
Health and Performance. Human Performance in Extreme Environments. 5(2),
66-39.
• Award
Cowings, P.S. “NASA Ames Honor Award for Technology Development.”
October, 2001
Cowings, P.S. “2002 NASA Spotlight Award: Mentoring Students and
Professionals in Psychophysiology and Aerospace Medicine.” NASA Ames, April
2002
Cowings, P.S. “Space Act Award for technical innovation: Augenic Feedback
Training Exercise: Systems and Methods.” NASA Ames Research Center-April,
2002
Cowings, P.S., “25 year Service Award.” NASA Ames Research Center,
December 2001