MAIN AREAS OF RESEARCH:
- Neurosensory mechanisms of the space adaptation and readaptation syndrome (space motion sickness – SMS).
- Vestibular function, intersensory interaction, visual and visual-manual tracking in complex dynamic and visual conditions causing disorientation and illusions of spatial position.
- Comparative study of the significance of the vestibular and support inputs in intersensory interaction and in the formation of various forms of visual and visual-manual tracking.
- Formation, coordination and participation in the implementation of the research programs of the vestibular function, intersensory interaction, visual and visual-manual tracking in real spaceflights and in model experiments with simulated weightlessness.
- Design and creation of a methodology for the objectification of systemic (vestibular) vertigo and non-systemic (psychogenic, cardiogenic, functional) dizziness and equilibrium disturbances, for diagnostics and prognosis of vestibular, visual and visual-manual tracking disorders using computerized means. Its introduction in practice of space and clinical medicine.
- Design and creation of the innovative computerized method for nonpharmacologic therapy, correction and prevention of sensorimotor, perceptual and autonomic disorders. Its introduction in practice of space and clinical medicine.
- Design and creation of a new methodology and new software to study the accuracy of visual-manual tracking using a tablet PC with a touch screen.
- Development and improvement of computerized means to study of the vestibular function, intersensory interactions, visual and visual-manual tracking, and their subsequent introduction in practice of space and clinical medicine.
MAIN METHODOLOGICAL TECHNIQUES:
Research methods: physiological, clinical-physiological, psychophysiological.
Types of studies:
- research in manned spaceflight (space science experiments);
- clinical-physiological check-ups of cosmonauts and ground science experiments;
- research in simulated weightlessness (model experiments);
- clinical studies.
EXPERIMENTAL EQUIPMENT:
- Hardware-software complexes (HSC) «SENSOMOTOR», «VIRTUAL», «OCULOSTIM», «OCULOSTIM-CM» to assess the state of the vestibular function, intersensory interactions, visual and visual-manual tracking.
The basis of HSC: PC (NOTEBOOK) with two monitors, RECORDING DEVICE with accelerometer sensors and EOG-amplifier working on DC, JOYSTICK to record illusory reactions and hand movements (manual tracking), SOFTWARE for stimulation of the visual and vestibular sensory inputs, registering of physiological reactions, storage and analysis of the recorded signals.
HSC «OCULOSTIM-CM»
HSC «VIRTUAL»
- VIDEOOCULOGRAPHY COMPLEX Chronos Vision ETD (to study of oculomotor reactions by high-precision videooculography with registration of eye and head movements).
- COMPUTERIZED ROTARY VESTIBULOMETRIE STAND (CHAIR) for: a) diagnostics of the state of the vestibular system in normal and pathological conditions, b) study of interaction processes between the vestibular and other sensory systems, c) implementation of a method of sensory therapy – passive and mixed vestibular training and training of resistance on the sensory conflict (vestibulartherapy).
- VESTIBULAR-OPTOKINETIC COMPUTERIZED STAND for surveys and training to suppress adverse perceptual, sensorimotor and autonomic reactions with the use of innovative non-pharmacological method to develop a fixation reflex using biofeedback.