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A computer-based, self-help system for the space age
by National Space Biomedical Research Institute, contact Liesl Owens.
HOUSTON - (June 26, 2002) - Soon we can throw out the self-help books and
motivational tapes and make way for a computerized system designed to help
people work through issues such as conflict resolution or mild depression.
Under development for astronauts on extended missions, the system will
assist in preventing, assessing and managing social and psychological
problems. But, with some modifications, the system has the potential to
benefit everyone - whether living and working in extreme environments,
submarines or oil rigs, or on a farm, in a suburb or big city.
"Researchers have shown that people are often more comfortable revealing
sensitive information to a computer, rather than to a clinician, and they
are more likely to acknowledge problems using computer-based assessments ,"
said Dr. James Carter, a researcher on the National Space Biomedical
Research Institute's (NSBRI) neurobehavioral and psychosocial factors team.
"The stresses of long-duration space flight such as separation from family,
loss of privacy and limited social outlets can lead to mood disturbances,
loss of sleep, conflict, work problems and, potentially, depression," said
Carter, who serves as senior researcher at the Interactive Media Laboratory
at Dartmouth Medical School and is a licensed clinical psychologist. He has
co-produced an NIH-funded interactive media program that teaches cancer
patients how to manage the side effects of cancer treatments.
A virtual space station will serve as the setting for the program, which
will provide assessment, treatment, prevention and education. The program
will integrate graphics, audio and video multimedia designed to create a
realistic environment.
The prototype will include three modules for users - conflict management,
treatment of mild depression and psychological self-assessment. The goal is
to prevent these problems from occurring, but if they do, crewmembers will
have the program on board to provide assistance.
"The system will help crewmembers recognize and deal with problems early
on," Carter explained. "Mild to moderate problems will be highlighted
although the program will address clinical problems, such as depression, as
well. It is not designed to offer pharmaceutical advice. Further modules
can be developed and evaluated as new needs are identified."
"Ideally, the program will be added to the training astronauts go through
before a mission," said Dr. Jay Buckey, Jr., project co-investigator and
principal subject-matter expert. Now a physician at Dartmouth, Buckey
served extensively in the space program and flew as a payload specialist on
the STS-90 Neurolab mission. "The program will help users identify and be
alert for signs of depression and diffuse any conflicts that could arise."
The depression module will use problem-solving therapy to help users work
through life problems that can contribute to more serious depression, such
as work or interpersonal issues. The program will help users identify the
problem, possible solutions, pros and cons for each solution and specific
steps to take. It will also help the user develop a personalized plan for
solving the problem. The user can then go back to the program to determine
if progress is being made. If no progress is identified, the user can
change their plan of action.
The conflict-resolution module will involve computer simulations of
hypothetical problems during long-duration space flights, in order to learn
an approach to conflict management. Users will watch a video simulation and
will be asked to choose a response. The choice is then played out, allowing
the user to determine whether it was the best response or to go back and
make a different decision. In this way, users can learn from their actions.
Once developed, each module will undergo testing by current and former
astronauts, ground-crew personnel and subject-matter experts.
The project is complemented by NSBRI teams looking at other space health
concerns such as bone loss, cardiovascular changes, muscle wasting, balance
and orientation problems, and radiation exposure. While focusing on space
health issues, the Institute will quickly transfer the solutions to Earth
patients suffering from similar conditions. The NSBRI is funded by NASA.
The NSBRI's consortium members include Baylor College of Medicine,
Brookhaven National Laboratory, Harvard Medical School, The Johns Hopkins
University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Morehouse School of
Medicine, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, Rice University, Texas A&M
University, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, University of
Pennsylvania Health System and University of Washington.
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