The Post-Flight Rehabilitation Program for Astronauts in Health Resort: Case Report Series

Abstract

INTRODUCTION. The prospects for studying deep space are associated with the development of methods and programs for restoring the body of astronauts after flights. In this case, an important role is given to the implementation of aspects of restoring the functions of the nervous system of astronauts at the 2nd stage of post-flight rehabilitation (PFR) in Health Resort.
 AIM. To develop a program of rehabilitation for cosmonauts in Health Resort (stage 2 of PFR), aimed at restoring the functions of the nervous system.
 MATERIALS AND METHODS. The study involved 5 cosmonauts. Diagnostics included assessment of psychological and psychophysiological parameters and properties of the nervous system, the functional state of the autonomic nervous system. The rehabilitation program included: intake of mineral water “Slavyanovsky”, carbon dioxide-hydrogen sulfide baths, baro-, halo-, inhalation and climate therapy, a course of 5 sessions of neurofeedback on the β-rhythm of the brain. The duration of PFR was 21 days, procedures were carried out every other day.
 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION. An assessment of heart rate variability revealed the predominance of the influence of the parasympathetic division. After the rehabilitation course, there was a decrease in the stiffness index. There was a positive trend towards normalization of indicators: blood saturation, reflection index, a marker of left ventricular function, cardiac output, blood pressure and oxygen absorption from the microcirculatory system. The dynamics of biofeedback training indicators based on the β-rhythm indicated the orderliness and synchronization of the electroencephalogram (EEG) rhythm signal; an increase in the efficiency of mental work was also revealed.
 CONCLUSION. The results obtained indicate the positive impact of the developed program of the 2nd stage of PFR, as a result of which a positive dynamics of indicators of autonomic regulation, central hemodynamics, improvement of mental performance, orderliness and synchronization of the EEG rhythm signal.