[Countermeasuring effect of lower body negative pressure against orthostatic intolerance induced by 21 d -6 degrees head down tilt in humans].

Objective. To investigate whether LBNP during 21 d -6 degrees head-down tilt (HDT) would modify orthostatic tolerance. Method. 12 healthy males, age 23.7 +/- 5.0, were exposed to -6 degrees HDT for 21 d. 6 of them received -4.0 kPa LBNP sessions for 1 h/d from 15th day to 21st day of HDT. The other 6 served as control. HUT + 75 degrees, 20 min orthostatic tolerance test were done before, on day 10 and on day 21 of HDT. Result. During HUT + 75 degrees, 20 min orthostatic tolerance test on day 10 of HDT, 5 subjects of the control group and 4 of the LBNP group presented presyncopal or syncopal signs and symptoms, the average standing time of both groups were shorter than those of the pre-HDT (p<0.05). During HUT + 75 degrees, 20 min orthostatic tolerance test on day 21 of HDT, 5 subjects of the control group and one subject of the LBNP group presented presyncopal or syncopal signs and symptoms, the average standing time of control group reduced significantly as compared with those of pre-HDT(P<0.05), also significantly shorter than those of LBNP group (P<0.05). Conclusion. The present study clearly shows that the use of LBNP could alleviate the bed rest-induced orthostatic intolerance.