Andrew Winnard1, Mona Nasser2, Dorothee Debuse1, Maria Stokes3, Simon Evetts4, Mick Wilkinson1, Julie Hides5, Nick Caplan6. 1. Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK. 2. Peninsula Dental School, Plymouth University, Plymouth, UK. 3. Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK; Arthritis Research UK Centre for Sport, Exercise and Osteoarthritis, UK. 4. Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK; Wyle GmbH, Cologne, Germany. 5. Centre for Musculoskeletal Research, Mary MacKillop Institute for Health Research, Australian Catholic University, Brisbane, Australia. 6. Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK. Electronic address: nick.caplan@northumbria.ac.uk.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: No studies have been published on an astronaut population to assess the effectiveness of countermeasures for limiting physiological changes in the lumbopelvic region caused by microgravity exposure during spaceflight. However, several studies in this area have been done using spaceflight simulation via bed-rest. The purpose of this systematic review was to evaluate the effectiveness of countermeasures designed to limit physiological changes to the lumbopelvic region caused by spaceflight simulation by means of bed-rest. METHODS: Electronic databases were searched from the start of their records to November 2014. Studies were assessed with PEDro, Cochrane Risk of Bias and a bed-rest study quality tool. Magnitude based inferences were used to assess countermeasure effectiveness. RESULTS: Seven studies were included. There was a lack of consistency across studies in reporting of outcome measures. Some countermeasures were found to be successful in preventing some lumbopelvic musculoskeletal changes, but not others. For example, resistive vibration exercise prevented muscle changes, but showed the potential to worsen loss of lumbar lordosis and intervertebral disc height. CONCLUSION: Future studies investigating countermeasures should report consistent outcomes, and also use an actual microgravity environment. Additional research with patient reported quality of life and functional outcome measures is advocated.
BACKGROUND: No studies have been published on an astronaut population to assess the effectiveness of countermeasures for limiting physiological changes in the lumbopelvic region caused by microgravity exposure during spaceflight. However, several studies in this area have been done using spaceflight simulation via bed-rest. The purpose of this systematic review was to evaluate the effectiveness of countermeasures designed to limit physiological changes to the lumbopelvic region caused by spaceflight simulation by means of bed-rest. METHODS: Electronic databases were searched from the start of their records to November 2014. Studies were assessed with PEDro, Cochrane Risk of Bias and a bed-rest study quality tool. Magnitude based inferences were used to assess countermeasure effectiveness. RESULTS: Seven studies were included. There was a lack of consistency across studies in reporting of outcome measures. Some countermeasures were found to be successful in preventing some lumbopelvic musculoskeletal changes, but not others. For example, resistive vibration exercise prevented muscle changes, but showed the potential to worsen loss of lumbar lordosis and intervertebral disc height. CONCLUSION: Future studies investigating countermeasures should report consistent outcomes, and also use an actual microgravity environment. Additional research with patient reported quality of life and functional outcome measures is advocated.
Authors: Mariya Stavnichuk; Nicholas Mikolajewicz; Tatsuya Corlett; Martin Morris; Svetlana V Komarova Journal: NPJ Microgravity Date: 2020-05-05 Impact factor: 4.415
Authors: Marie Mortreux; Megan E Rosa-Caldwell; Ian D Stiehl; Dong-Min Sung; Nicholas T Thomas; Christopher S Fry; Seward B Rutkove Journal: Physiol Rep Date: 2021-10
Authors: Robert Ekman; David A Green; Jonathon P R Scott; Roger Huerta Lluch; Tobias Weber; Nolan Herssens Journal: Front Physiol Date: 2022-07-04 Impact factor: 4.755
Authors: Mariya Stavnichuk; Nicholas Mikolajewicz; Tatsuya Corlett; Martin Morris; Svetlana V Komarova Journal: NPJ Microgravity Date: 2020-05-05 Impact factor: 4.415