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Physiological changes, sleep, and morning mood in an isolated environment.
Norbert O Kraft1, Natsuhiko Inoue, Koh Mizuno
1Human Factor Research and Technology Division, NASA-Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA 94035-1000, USA. nkraft@mail.arc.nasa.gov
Aviation, Space, and Environmental Medicine
|November 16, 2002
Summary
Confinement did not alter body weight or urine volume. However, increased norepinephrine during isolation correlated with higher sleep motor activity, suggesting sympathetic nervous system activation may disrupt sleep.
Area of Science:
- Physiology
- Sleep Science
- Environmental Psychology
Background:
- Previous studies linked isolation to increased urine volume and body weight.
- Human physiological and psychological responses to confinement require further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate physiological variables during confinement.
- To examine relationships between sleep, mood, and physiological changes.
Main Methods:
- Eight subjects lived in a simulated space habitat for 7 days.
- Measurements included catecholamine excretion, urine volume, body weight, and sleep motor activity.
- Subjective sleep quality and mood were assessed daily.
Main Results:
- No significant changes in body weight, urine volume, or subjective reports were observed.
- Epinephrine, norepinephrine, and sleep motor activity showed significant differences during confinement.
- Norepinephrine levels positively correlated with sleep motor activity.
Conclusions:
- Confinement did not significantly impact body weight or urine output.
- Elevated norepinephrine suggests increased sympathetic activity during confinement.
- Sympathetic nervous system activation may negatively affect sleep quality.