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Back pain during 6 degrees head-down tilt approximates that during actual microgravity
K J Hutchinson1, D E Watenpaugh, G Murthy
1Gravitational Research Branch, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA 94035-1000, USA.
Aviation, Space, and Environmental Medicine
|March 1, 1995
Summary
Astronauts experience back pain in space. Simulated microgravity using head-down tilt (HDT) effectively models this pain and spinal lengthening, offering insights for spaceflight research.
Area of Science:
- Space medicine
- Human physiology
- Biomedical engineering
Background:
- Astronauts frequently report back pain during spaceflight.
- Spinal lengthening of 4-7 cm occurs in microgravity.
- Previous studies noted dull, localized lower back pain in crewmembers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare back pain and spinal lengthening during simulated microgravity (head-down tilt, HDT) with actual microgravity.
- To validate the HDT model for studying spaceflight-induced back pain.
Main Methods:
- Eight male subjects underwent a 16-day head-down tilt (HDT) period.
- Daily pain assessments using a modified McGill pain questionnaire.
- Daily height measurements in supine and HDT positions.
Main Results:
- Back pain increased to 2.3 +/- 0.4 within the first 3 days of HDT, described as dull/burning lower back pain.
- Spinal lengthening averaged 2.1 +/- 0.5 cm by day 3 of HDT, plateauing thereafter.
- Pain intensity decreased after 9 days of HDT, with only 2 subjects reporting pain during recovery.
Conclusions:
- The HDT model effectively simulates the level, type, distribution, and time course of back pain experienced during actual microgravity.
- Pain subsides in the HDT model once spinal lengthening ceases.
- HDT provides a viable ground-based analog for studying microgravity-induced back pain.