Evaluation of Physiotherapy Impact on Neuromuscular Tension in Analog Astronauts at the LunAres Habitat

Abstract

The evaluation of manual Trigger Point Therapy (TrPt) on mandible abduction range of Analog Astronauts (AA) surviving isolation conditions during consecutive missions at the LunAres Habitat was performed. This physiotherapy method was applied to decrease stress-related neuromuscular tension. Abduction measurements were conducted on the two groups of five AA, who endured severe isolation conditions for 14 days in the limited space of the LunAres Research Station Habitat (Piła, Poland) during missions. The test group consisted of abduction measurements of AA who received TrPt and control group of abduction measurements of AA who did not receive TrPt. All measurements were noted in the TemporoMandibular Joint (TMJ) diagnosis aspect of the integrated dental examination card SZOPPDP©. The ischemic compression was performed on an active localized trigger point—resulting in cessation of pain. Maximum abduction measurements were made with an electronic caliper, and the abduction range was compared. The change of abduction range in AA with TrPt was bigger than in AA without TrPt. A larger increase in abduction range was observed in every case in the group receiving TrPt compared to the control group. TrPt effectively decreases the neuromuscular tension, which results in an increased mandibular abduction range of AA. Observations conducted in LunAres Research Station regarding stress-related neuromuscular tension can help identify effective therapeutic methods for circumstances of social isolation.