Enhancing Astronaut Cognitive Performance: The Impact of TENS Feedback in Spacesuits

Document Type

Article

Source of Publication

Learning and Analytics in Intelligent Systems

Publication Date

1-1-2025

Abstract

Spacesuits are essential for ensuring the safety and functionality of astronauts during space missions. However, they can introduce challenges such as sensory deprivation, reduced dexterity, and lower cognitive performance, which can increase the risk of error. In our previous research, we have shown that adding sound transparency to a suit improves cognitive scores with a puzzle task. Building upon these findings, we evaluate the use of sensory substitution with Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) in place of traditional haptics. This study represents the first application of TENS in spacesuits to enhance cognitive performance by mitigating sensory deprivation. We placed pressure sensors outside two fingertips on the glove of the spacesuit, and on the inside, we placed a transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation patch on the skin. The evaluation focused on assessing the changes in cognitive performance. The outcome of the study does not support that sensory substitution with TENS is associated with faster Koh Block test completion times. The NASA Load Task Index test was also administered, such results are also coherent with the Koh Block test outcome.

ISSN

2662-3447

Publisher

Springer Nature Switzerland

Volume

48

First Page

19

Last Page

28

Disciplines

Engineering

Keywords

Cognitive Load Function, Haptic Feedback, Sensory Deprivation

Scopus ID

05003174142

Indexed in Scopus

yes

Open Access

no

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