NASA
Reduced Gravity Student Flight Campaign 2003
Collin County Community College
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Project
Title:
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EEG
Monitoring of Brain Activity Utilizing Virtual Reality Simulation
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TEST OBJECTIVES
By measuring differences
in the various types of brainwaves associated with performing targeted tasks
in zero-gravity versus normal gravity conditions, potential advantages and
problems associated with living and working in space can be identified while
increasing understanding of how the brain functions in microgravity.
Possible hypotheses
are (1) that microgravity does have an effect on brainwave activity and (2)
these differences are task dependent.
TEST DESCRIPTION
The team’s experiment
consists of two key components: measuring brainwave activity, and immersing
the subject in a virtual reality environment.
To measure brainwave
activity, the team will use a portable electroencephalogram
(EEG) machine such as the Neurofax Micro, a notebook PC based EEG that functions
well in an electrically noisy environment. A neurospecialist will set up the
test subject and equipment with the proper usage of the EEG monitor and record
data. The levels of each category of brainwave (beta, alpha, theta, and delta)
will be continuously recorded during the flight, with zero-gravity conditions
noted.
To provide an optimal virtual
reality environment, the team will make use of a high-resolution SVGA 3D visor
capable of providing stereoscopic images for true depth of field vision. Virtual
reality software will be used to immerse the subject in an environment demanding
cognitive and motor skills associated with working in space (such as problem
solving, coordination, decision making, and navigation skills). A head tracking
device, 3-D joystick, and/or control pad may be used to provide interaction
with the virtual environment.
As the KC-135A plane enters the zero-gravity portion of its flight plan, the test subject will wear the virtual reality visor while using the joystick and/or control pad. The observer will monitor both the readings of brainwaves from the EEG as well as a laptop screen showing the subject’s interaction with the virtual environment. The laptop computer will display concurrent scenes that the test subject will interact with via the 3-D virtual reality visor. Qualitative data will be recorded such as the subject's apparent level of concentration, unusual activities or difficulties during the simulation, nervousness, etc. A video camera will assist in data collection.
The test subject will perform a variety of tasks in the virtual reality simulation that will be noted and synchronized chronologically with the EEG machine. This will enable any differences or changes in brainwave activity to be correlated to a specific task in the simulation. After the simulations are complete, the participants will complete a survey addressing their experience. Questions will be asked about particular events such as "On a scale of 1-10, how difficult was it to complete task X?" Lickert scales will be used to help quantify these responses.
Some virtual tasks may take longer than 25-30 seconds to perform. In these situations, the subject will pause the virtual reality simulation when leaving zero-gravity and return to that point in the simulation to complete the task on the next zero-gravity opportunity. A control group at normal gravity will repeat all tasks performed in microgravity conditions. The timing and order of the tasks performed by the control group will match that of the microgravity portion of the experiment as closely as possible.
Data analysis will consist of a detailed comparison of brainwaves
for microgravity versus normal gravity conditions and specific tasks. A neurospecialist
will assist in the analysis and interpretation of the data. Qualitative data
from the surveys, observer notes, and video recording will be used to shed
light on noted differences.
EQUIPMENT DESCRIPTION
The EEG recording device has high performance, high sensitivity
amplifiers, high frequency and simultaneous sampling,
an EEG rejection filter, shielded electrodes and high performance electrode
junction box with USB connection to the laptop.
The virtual reality
system includes mounted display, tracking, input device, associated software
or application, and laptop computer, and portable EEG system.
The visor functions as an ultra high-resolution,
big screen TV/PC monitor. SVGA i-Glasses is a portable, affordable, high resolution,
computer monitor and big screen video viewer, all in a compact, 7 oz package
that fits comfortably on the head. Big stereo sound through built-in private
speakers completes the experience. The all-new i-Glasses SVGA is plug and
play compatible with virtually all computer and video entertainment systems
including PC's, video games, laptops, portable DVD players, camcorders, VCR's - even some popular PDAs.
The virtual reality system and
EEG system will be mounted on a two-tier table. The portable EEG and laptop
computer hardware will be secured to a plastic 2-tier desk that will be secured
to the cabin floor of the KC135A. The test subject will be wearing a 3-D virtual
reality visor and EEG monitors (see Figure 1 - Portable EEG with Laptop and
Figure 2 - 3-D Virtual Reality Visors).
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Figure 2 - 3-D Virtual Reality Visors
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Table
1 - Visor Specifications
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Flyers and ground crew will bring a laptop, 3-D virtual reality visor, joystick/control pad, and portable EEG machine to Ellington Field that will include the following. A more detailed list will be provided when equipment construction is complete.
Institutional Review Board (IRB) Info (MS Word docs)
Physical Exam Info (pdf's)
Flight Surgeons in Collin County
NASA Microgravity University web site:
microgravityuniversity.jsc.nasa.gov/
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Name |
Role |
Email Address |
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LuCinda (Cindi) R. Warnstaff |
Team Contact, Flyer |
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Bryan Embry |
Flyer |
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Matt |
Flyer |
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Melina Lhotan |
Flyer |
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Kathy E. Lowe-Massey |
Alternate Flyer/Ground Crew |
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Jud May |
Journalist |
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| Pedro Nosnik, MD |
Ground Crew |
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Ground Crew |
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| Vernon Hadnot | Ground Crew |
vhadnot@ccccd.edu |
| Tom Ju | Ground Crew |
twj2099@yahoo.com |
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Michael Foree |
Ground Crew |
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Ground Crew |
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Faculty Supervisor |
