Evaluating the Effectiveness of Graduated Stress Exposure in Virtual Spaceflight Hazard Training

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.

Desktop Virtual Reality Versus Face-to-Face Simulation for Team-Training on Stress Levels and Performance in Clinical Deterioration: a Randomised Controlled Trial

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The effectiveness of adaptive training for stress inoculation in a simulated astronaut task

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Therapeutic virtual reality in prison: Participatory design with incarcerated women

“…VR offers several advantages over traditional exposure methods. Virtual environments can be entirely customized, allowing providers to work with patients with difficulty imagining feared memories (Riva, 2005; Rizzo et al, 2012a); VR HMDs are increasingly portable and can be used in private offices (Birckhead et al, 2019; Riva, 2005; Rothbaum and Hodges, 1999); and providers can have unparalleled control over their patient’s sensory intensity and details that would be otherwise impossible for imaginal or in situ treatments (Finseth et al, 2018; Maples-Keller et al, 2017; Rizzo et al, 2012b: 231). Biometric data sensors paired with VR setups also allow providers to collect and measure patients’ real-time psychophysiological responses to stress, such as heart rate and perspiration (Buckwalter, 2015; Rizzo et al, 2012b).…”