7-day bed rest test helps study spaceflight effects

Time of India

4 days ago

Koustabh Kari (left) and Akshat Mohite
BENGALURU: The
Institute of Aerospace Medicine
(IAM) under the Indian Air Force (IAF) has completed a seven-day continuous head-down
bed rest study
to simulate microgravity and investigate how spaceflight affects the human body and mind. The experiment, held between July 10 and 16 at IAM's campus in Bengaluru, is India's first focused study on both physiological and cognitive changes linked to prolonged weightlessness.
Two civilian volunteers — Akshat Mohite, 27, founder of the space startup Astroborne Space from Bengaluru, and Koustubh Kari, 23, an MSc Chemistry student from KLE University in Dharwad — took part in the study called 'Satata-shayanānusandhānam'.
For seven days, Mohite and Kari remained in a 6° head-down tilt position, lying face-up without standing, sitting, or stepping out of bed. 'This tilt angle was chosen carefully, as it is an internationally accepted standard used by agencies like Nasa and European Space Agency to simulate the effects of microgravity on Earth. The posture causes fluid shifts towards the head, mimicking what astronauts experience in orbit,' one source said.
All daily functions, including eating, drinking, and hygiene, were performed while maintaining this posture. Both participants consumed meals developed by the Defence Institute of Bio Defence Technologies (DIBT) for astronauts, similar to those used in isolation studies, and drank water through sippers designed for use while supine.
IAM researchers monitored a range of physiological changes during the trial. These included cardiovascular conditioning, muscle atrophy, bone density loss, neurovestibular changes, and fluid redistribution toward the brain. Ultrasound scans of the optic nerve sheath were done every alternate day to detect signs of intracranial pressure, which can occur when body fluids pool in the upper body under microgravity conditions.
Baseline tests were performed before the trial to assess medical history, blood and urine profiles, limb muscle girth, and vestibular system stability. Cognitive functions were tested using IAM's in-house software Psumeda, designed to track attention, memory, and decision-making. These assessments were repeated during and after the trial to detect any cognitive decline.
Throughout the study, researchers recorded various physiological parameters: continuous heart rate, blood pressure, Muscle girth, Intraocular pressure.
Mohite has previously undergone centrifuge training in the US and has experience with space analogue isolation studies. Kari, the second participant, is a student with no prior space analogue experience.
The data collected will help develop protocols to manage astronaut health during long-duration missions. 'The team will use the results to design exercise regimens and cognitive training protocols aimed at reducing the risks of cardiovascular deconditioning, muscle loss, and cognitive decline in space. The study will also contribute to understanding neurovestibular changes that can lead to dizziness or balance issues after spaceflight,' another source said.
Beyond astronaut applications, the findings may be useful for improving care protocols for bedridden patients on Earth, particularly for geriatric care and rehabilitation.
This study ran in parallel with the IAM's Anugami analogue mission — which TOI had reported on Jul 20 — which focused on crew behaviour and psychological resilience in isolation. IAM plans further experiments of longer durations in future phases.