NASA Prebreathe Study

Summary

This study will validate the experimental method and chamber facility at the Duke Center for Hyperbaric Medicine \& Environmental Physiology and test team capabilities to support NASA decompression sickness (DCS) studies. This project is related to development of protocols for extravehicular activity (EVA, "spacewalks") to minimize the risk of decompression sickness. Duke will perform four test days, collecting and recording data each day. Each test day will involve 3 volunteer subjects ages 18-50 years, who will breathe 100% oxygen for 6 hours. This will be followed by 6 hours in the hypobaric chamber at 1/3 atmosphere, during which subjects will perform various tasks, including arm and leg exercises, and undergo ultrasound testing to detect vascular bubbles. End-points will include bubble scores, and decompression sickness (DCS). If subjects develop DCS symptoms they will immediately be recompressed to ambient pressure and be assessed and treated.

Timeline

Start

2025-05-05

Primary completion

2025-08-21

Completion

2025-08-21

Publications

• Background Mollerlokken A, Blogg SL, Doolette DJ, Nishi RY, Pollock NW. Consensus guidelines for the use of ultrasound for diving research. Diving Hyperb Med. 2016 Mar;46(1):26-32.
• Background Le DQ, Dayton PA, Tillmans F, Freiberger JJ, Moon RE, Denoble P, Papadopoulou V. Ultrasound in decompression research: fundamentals, considerations, and future technologies. Undersea Hyperb Med. 2021 First Quarter;48(1):59-72. doi: 10.22462/01.03.2021.8.

Drugs

Indications