Dry immersion (DI) is a ground-based model of prolonged conditions of simulated microgravity. Dry immersion involves immersing the subject in water covered with an elastic waterproof fabric. As a result, the immersed subject, who is freely suspended in the water mass, remains dry. Within a relatively short duration, the model can faithfully reproduce most physiological effects of actual microgravity, including centralization of body fluids, support unloading, and hypokinesia. The objective of the study is to evaluate the physiological changes induced by 5 days of dry immersion in the female organism. The main physiological systems will be explored before, during and after the 5 days of immersion through a battery of specific tests and measurements. The results will be analyzed by scientists specializing in each field in order to better understand the dry immersion model, to compare its effects with those of the bedrest model and those of spaceflight. The clinical (adverse effects, comfort of subjects) and operational aspects are also part of the secondary objectives of the study.
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Change in orthostatic tolerance
Timeframe: At baseline and after five days of dry immersion
Change in peak aerobic power (VO2max test)
Timeframe: At baseline and after five days of dry immersion
Change in plasma volume
Timeframe: At baseline and after five days of dry immersion
Change in fluid shift distribution towards the cephalic region
Timeframe: At baseline, the first day to quantify the short term effect and the fifth day of dry-immersion to quantify the long term effect of fluid shift
Change in vascular endothelium integrity
Timeframe: At baseline and during the five days of the dry-immersion period
Change in circadian rhythms of blood pressure
Timeframe: At baseline and during the five days of the dry-immersion period
Change in lower limb veins functions
Timeframe: At baseline, after four days of dry-immersion and after one day of recovery
Change in body fluid compartments by bioelectrical impedance analysis
Timeframe: Baseline and during five days of dry-immersion
Change in muscle strength
Timeframe: At baseline and after five days of dry-immersion
Change in muscle fatigue
Timeframe: At baseline and after five days of dry-immersion
Change in muscle volume at calf level
Timeframe: At baseline and after five days of dry-immersion
Change in contraction time
Timeframe: At baseline and after five days of dry-immersion
Change in bone metabolism
Timeframe: At baseline, during and after 5 days of dry-immersion
Changes in cartilage metabolism
Timeframe: At baseline, during and after 5 days of dry-immersion
Change in Resting Metabolic Rate (RMR)
Timeframe: At baseline, during and after 5 days of dry-immersion
Change in nitrogen balance
Timeframe: At baseline, during and after 5 days of dry-immersion
Change in Body Composition measured by DEXA
Timeframe: At baseline and at the end of the 5 days of dry-immersion
Change in glucose tolerance (Oral Glucose Tolerance Test)
Timeframe: At baseline and after 3 days of dry-immersion (to be comparable to a previous study on men)
Change in Core temperature
Timeframe: At baseline and during the 5 days of dry immersion
Change in height
Timeframe: At baseline, during and after the 5 days of dry immersion
Change in mid cerebral artery (MCA) blood flow velocity
Timeframe: Before and after the 5 days of dry immersion
Change in mood
Timeframe: At baseline, during and after 5 days of dry-immersion
Change in psychological affects
Timeframe: At baseline, during and after 5 days of dry-immersion
Change in psychological state: sleep quality
Timeframe: At baseline, during and after 5 days of dry-immersion
Change in psychological state: mental health
Timeframe: At baseline, during and after 5 days of dry-immersion
Change in psychological state: coping strategies
Timeframe: At baseline, during and after 5 days of dry-immersion
Change in cerebral autoregulation
Timeframe: At baseline and after 5 days of dry-immersion
Change in Intra Cranial Pressure (ICP)
Timeframe: At baseline, during and after 5 days of dry-immersion
Change in optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD) considered as an indirect marker for intracranial pressure (ICP) estimation.
Timeframe: At baseline, during and after 5 days of dry-immersion
Change in the optic nerve fibers thickness.
Timeframe: At baseline and after five days of dry-immersion
Change in intraocular pressure (IOP)
Timeframe: At baseline, during and after five days of dry-immersion
Change in visual acuity
Timeframe: At baseline and after five days of dry-immersion
Change in visual field
Timeframe: At baseline and after five days of dry-immersion
Change in the anatomical characteristics of the eye (optical biometry)
Timeframe: At baseline and after five days of dry-immersion
Change in the central corneal thickness
Timeframe: At baseline and after five days of dry-immersion
Change in the retina by non-mydriatic fundus retinography
Timeframe: At baseline and after five days of dry-immersion
Change in the cornea topography
Timeframe: At baseline and after five days of dry-immersion
Change in cerebral structures and in venous circulation of the brain by MRI
Timeframe: At baseline and after five days of dry-immersion
Change in walking balance
Timeframe: At baseline and after five days of dry-immersion
Change in standing balance
Timeframe: At baseline and after five days of dry-immersion
Change in motion sickness susceptibility
Timeframe: At baseline and after five days of dry-immersion
Change in coagulation cascade
Timeframe: At baseline, during and after 5 days of dry immersion