title: Autonomous, Computer-Based Behavioral Health Countermeasure Evaluation at HI-SEAS Mars Analog.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Living in an isolated, confined environment (ICE) can induce conflict, stress, and depression. Computer-based behavioral health countermeasures are appealing for training and treatment in ICEs because they provide confidentiality and do not require communication with the outside environment. We evaluated the Virtual Space Station (VSS), a suite of interactive computer-delivered psychological training and treatment programs, at the Hawaii Space Exploration Analog and Simulation (HI-SEAS) III expedition.
  
  
  METHODS
  Six subjects (3 male, 3 female) spent 8 mo in group-isolation and used the Conflict, Stress, and Depression modules in the VSS. Survey evaluations, data collected within the program, and postdeployment interviews were collected.
  
  
  RESULTS
  This crew dealt with behavioral health issues common to ICEs. The VSS proved to be a valuable resource and was used both as intended, and in unanticipated ways, to help maintain behavioral health. The Conflict and Stress Modules were rated as highly acceptable (1.8 on a 7-point Likert scale). The crew identified a total of 13 stressors and worked on 9 problems through the VSS. Opinions about the modules were highly individualized. Crewmembers identified exercises in the VSS that were applicable and not applicable to their needs. Additional content to improve the program was identified.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Autonomous, confidential training and treatment for behavioral health issues will need to be a critical component of long duration spaceflight travel. This work provides an evaluation of such a tool in a relevant ICE. Anderson AP, Fellows AM, Binsted KA, Hegel MT, Buckey JC. Autonomous, computer-based behavioral health countermeasure evaluation at HI-SEAS Mars analog. Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2016; 87(11):912-920.
authors: Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH, and the University of Hawaii, M?noa, Honolulu, HI, USA.
authors: Allison P
authors: AP
authors: Anderson
authors: Abigail M
authors: AM
authors: Fellows
authors: Kim A
authors: KA
authors: Binsted
authors: Mark T
authors: MT
authors: Hegel
authors: Jay C
authors: JC
authors: Buckey
mesh_terms: D000337:Aerospace Medicine; D018480:Astronauts / Q000523:psychology*; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; D003194:Computer-Assisted Instruction / Q000379:methods; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017008:Negotiating / Q000523:psychology*; D018561:Space Simulation / Q000523:psychology*; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D013813:Therapy, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*