GRADES: 6-8

Activity created by: Bryan Yager, STELLAR 1997-98
NASA Ames Research Center-Principal Investigator: , Dr. Pat Cowings and Dr. Bill Toscano
Editing in progress

Overview

This activity presents Biofeedback in a hands-on demonstration. This activity is included in the Microgravity Learning Module.

Key Questions

• What is biofeedback?
• What are its applications?
• How is it used in research in space motion sickness?
• Can you demonstrate biofeedback using temperature as a parameter?

Time Frame

Lab one will take 2 class periods, and Lab two and wrap up will take 2 class periods.

Materials

• Two student temperature data collection forms (per student)
• Questionaire for Lab One.
• Data collection form from Tortoise and Hare competition.
• The Orion 8600 Biofeedback system which measures (1) skin temperature using a thermister taped to the index finger.

For the class

• Biofeedback handout
• "Why We Throw Up" student handout
• 15 minute PBS video tape on Space motion Sickness (Dr. Pat Cowings)

(Student Handouts)

Getting Ready

1. Class project: Visit the Microgravity Video site at: http://science.nas.nasa.gov/Services/Education/SpaceSettlement/Video/. Notice the environment inside the orbiter.
2. Discuss the negative impact of microgravity on human physiology and how this must be addressed for the long term stay in this environment. Introduce space motion sickness and how it can be addressed through biofeedback.
3. Show the Video Space Motion Sickness (15 min).
4. Visit the Physcophysiological Research Lab at http://george.arc.nasa.gov/jit/aft2/index.html .Discuss the impact of Dr. Cowings work and how it has been used on STS-49, STS-51C and STS-51B. Be sure to include the technology transfer of the AFTS.

Classroom Activity

Part 1-Biofeedback Module

1. Divide students into teams of 2. They will be recording data on each other over 2 minute periods during the lab. Students will alternate the roles of trainer and trainee, the trainer will record data on the trainee.
2. Offer group instruction on how to set up the Orion system for Lab one and how to record data. Introduce the concept as the body relaxes the body temperature will increase. Include the baseline testing for 2 minutes before testing.
3. Allow student teams 10 minutes to setup Lab 1, establish a temperature baseline, 4 minutes of training and 2 minutes of post training. Each student will have a data collection form and a five question wrap up.
4. Have students present their results to the class. They might include this information in the Microgravity unit of the Space Settlement Design Power Point presentation.

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   Classroom Activity

   Part 2-Biofeedback Tortoise and Hare

   1. Introduce the Tortoise and Hare game. Explain how the object of the game is to defeat the Hare by relaxing. Set parameters of the game and set a realistic goal (temperature setting) that can be attained. Use the baseline from Lab 1 + 1 degree as the initial goal. Students may complete the exercise up to three times before moving to the next microgravity module. The goal may be changed by each student after trial.
   2. After each team has completed their exercise and recorded their results, move to the next learning module in the mocrogravity module.

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      Wrap-up

      Discuss the impact of microgravity on the aerospace crews. Describe the work done in the Psychophysiological Research Lab under the direction of Dr. Pat Cowings and Dr. Bill Toscano and how the AFTS (Autogenic Feedback Training System) is used as a preventative method in preventing space motion sickness. Remind the students how the KC-135 is used and how the astronauts train for microgravity. Go over the labs and the student demonstrations using biofeedback training to increase body temperature.

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      More Activity Ideas

      • Biogames
      • Building the Reduced-Gravity Demonstrator : visit http://zeta.lerc.nasa.gov/mini/minit.htm
      • Extended microgravity activities: visit http://quest.arc.nasa.gov:80/shuttle/teachers/mg/index.html
      • Visit the Space Settlement Design Contest at: http://science.nas.nasa.gov/~sezen/space_colonies/. When designing an orbiting spacesettlement how will microgravity impact the design?

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      Background for Teachers

      Vocabulary

      • biofeedback-a treatment technique in which people are trained to improve their health by using signals from their bodies.
      • microgravity-a level of gravity MUCH less than Earth's gravity (a thousand times less than normal Earth-gravity).

      Skills

      During this lesson the student will:

      • Demonstrate how to use biofeedback to increase temperature.
      • Demonstrate how to set parameters on the Orion 8600.
      • Demonstrate how to collect and record data.

      Additional Science Background

      • Microgravity presents a hostile environment for earth bound space travelers.
      • The AFTS has been shown as a method of preventing space motion sickness, and as a potential treatment for orthostatic intolerance in Aerospace crews. This is significant in the training of flight crews about to live and work in space for long periods of time. Microgravity presents stress on human physiology

      References:

      • P.S. Cowings, W.B. Toscano, Autogenic-Feedback Training: A Potential Treatment for Orthosatic Intolerance in Aerospace Crews. The Journal of Clinical Pharmacology. June 1994, 599-608.
      • Patricia S. Cowings and Willian B. Toscano, Autogenic-Feedback Training (ATF) as a preventative Method for Space Motion Sickness: Background and Experimental Design.NASA Technical Memorandum 108780. August 1993.

      Key words:

      microgravity, biofeedback, Autogenic biofeedback training system, baseline, the vestibular system.

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      For More information Contact Bryan Yager