Technology Demonstration of a Portable Sensorimotor Assessment System after Short-Duration Spaceflight

Astronauts experience sensorimotor dysfunction due to microgravity-induced adaptations, leading to impaired posture, locomotion, and manual control. This manuscript details a portable sensorimotor assessment system, including an ankle proprioception test and visual-vestibular tests in a virtual reality headset, which was successfully deployed as a technology demonstration for one astronaut participant pre- and post-spaceflight. Post-flight testing occurred 1 and 3 days after return to Earth (R+1, R+3), with ankle proprioception also tested at R+0. Compared to pre-flight, left ankle proprioception was decreased at R+0 (two standard deviations below the mean of normative data) and returned to pre-flight levels by R+1. All visual-vestibular parameters showed decreased performance post-flight (below the 25th percentile of normative data) and little recovery by R+3. While future validation is required, these assessments appear sensitive to post-flight sensorimotor deconditioning. Furthermore, this technology demonstration highlights the logistical considerations and operational compatibility of the assessments post-flight.