Sleep and circadian rhythm during a short space mission
Open accessAbstract
An experiment was conducted to assess sleep and circadian regulation in an orbiting spacecraft. In orbit the weakened influence of 24-h zeitgebers could result in delayed circadian phases with the possibility of a transition to free-running circadian rhythms. This and the specific stressors of a space mission may lead to changes in ultradian sleep regulation and in reduced sleep quantity and quality. During the mission sleep was recorded polygraphically on tape, as was body temperature. Daytime alertness was rated subjectively by a mood questionnaire. For comparison the same parameters were measured during a baseline period preceding the space mission. The circadian rhythms of body temperature and alertness were found to be delayed in space compared to baseline. This may mark a phase shift or the transition to a circadian state of free-run. Sleep was shorter and more disturbed. The structure of sleep was significantly altered. In space REM latency was shorter, there was less REM sleep in the second non-REM/REM cycle, and slow-wave sleep was redistributed from the first to the second cycle. The self-assessed mood resembled sleep disturbances and adaptation to the space environment. Reduced sleep quality and quantity are likely to result in fatigue and lower daytime performance. Countermeasures should be adopted to improve sleep of astronauts.
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Previous research has noted increases in core body temperature during spaceflight and impaired thermoregulation during space analogs, but these studies were limited to short missions and did not investigate the effect of acute physical exercise on core body temperature.
“While previous research has noted increases in CBT during spaceflight15–17 and impaired thermoregulation during space analogs, i.e. head-down tilt bed rest18, these studies were limited to short missions and did not investigate the effect of acute physical exercise on CBT.”
From Increased core body temperature in astronauts during long-duration space missions (2017) · cites this paper as [16]
Earlier studies on core body temperature in space were short-term missions, spanning a maximum of 8-16 days of spaceflight.
“However, these studies were short-term missions, spanning a maximum of 8–16 days of spaceflight.”
From Increased core body temperature in astronauts during long-duration space missions (2017) · cites this paper as [16]
Elevated core body temperature in space was earlier observed by Gundel et al. using 24-hours core body temperature recordings, but to a much lower extent (0.06-0.16 °C).
“Elevated CBT in space has been earlier observed by Gundel et al.16,17, using 24-hours CBT recordings, however to much lower extent (0.06–0.16 °C).”
From Increased core body temperature in astronauts during long-duration space missions (2017) · cites this paper as [16]
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- Authors
- Gundel, A., Nalishiti, V., Reucher, E., Vejvoda, M., & Zulley, J.
- Affiliations
- Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt e. V. (DLR) (DE)
- Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry (DE)
- Venue
- The Clinical Investigator
- Published
- 1993-09
- Volume
- 71
- Issue
- 9
- Pages
- 718-24
- ISSN
- 0946-2716 (ISSN-L)
- 0941-0198
- 1432-1440
- OpenAlex
- W2159960100
- Cited by
- 65
- References
- 19
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 5 · 2024: 2 · 2023: 1 · 2022: 3 · 2021: 5 · 2020: 3 · 2019: 4 · 2018: 2 · 2017: 3 · 2016: 3 · 2015: 2 · 2012: 2
- FWCI
- 1.95
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- green
- doi.org
- Licence
- www.springer.com/tdm (tdm)
- Locations
- Journal of Molecular Medicine (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- University of Regensburg Publication Server (University of Regensburg)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Spaceflight effects on biology
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Sleep and Work-Related Fatigue
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Endocrine and Autonomic Systems › Circadian rhythm and melatonin
- Keywords
- sleep, circadian rhythm, spaceflight, astronauts, free-running rhythm, body temperature, alertness, REM sleep, slow-wave sleep, sleep quality, sleep quantity, fatigue, phase shift
- MeSH terms
- Body Temperature, Circadian Rhythm, Electroencephalography, Humans, Sleep, Space Flight, Stress, Physiological
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