This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Styf, J. R. Articles by Hargens, A. R. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Styf, J. R. Articles by Hargens, A. R. Related Collections Musculoskeletal Pain Depression

Depression, Mood State, and Back Pain During Microgravity Simulated by Bed Rest

From the Life Science Division (J.R.S., K.H., A.R.H.), NASA Ames Research Center, Moffet Field, CA; and Institute of Psychology (S.G.C.), University of Göteborg, Göteborg, Sweden.

Address reprint requests to: Jorma R. Styf, MD, Department of Orthopaedics, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Sahlgrenska, Guldhedsg 19, 413 46 Göteborg, Sweden. Email: jorma.styf{at}orthop.gu.se

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to develop a ground-based model for spinal adaption to microgravity and to study the effects of spinal adaptation on depression, mood state, and pain intensity.

METHODS: We investigated back pain, mood state, and depression in six subjects, all of whom were exposed to microgravity, simulated by two forms of bed rest, for 3 days. One form consisted of bed rest with 6 degrees of head-down tilt and balanced traction, and the other consisted of horizontal bed rest. Subjects had a 2-week period of recovery between the studies. The effects of bed rest on pain intensity in the lower back, depression, and mood state were investigated.

RESULTS: Subjects experienced significantly more intense lower back pain, lower hemisphere abdominal pain, headache, and leg pain during head-down tilt bed rest. They had higher scores on the Beck Depression Inventory (ie, were more depressed) and significantly lower scores on the activity scale of the Bond-Lader questionnaire.

CONCLUSIONS: Bed rest with 6 degrees of head-down tilt may be a better experimental model than horizontal bed rest for inducing the pain and psychosomatic reactions experienced in microgravity. Head-down tilt with balanced traction may be a useful method to induce low back pain, mood changes, and altered self-rated activity level in bed rest studies.

Key Words: depression, • mood, • lower back pain, • lower abdominal pain, • leg pain, • bed rest.

Abbreviations: HBR = horizontal bed rest;; HDT = head-down tilt;; NASA = National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				M. G. Ziegler and J. V. Meck Physical and Psychological Challenges of Space Travel: An Overview Psychosom Med, November 1, 2001; 63(6): 859 - 861. [Full Text] [PDF]