Short-term virtual reality simulation of the effects of space station colour and microgravity and lunar gravity on cognitive task performance and emotion

This study implemented a short-term virtual reality examination of the impacts of environmental colour and posture changes (to simulate microgravity and lunar gravity) on cognitive task performance and emotions. In a standard posture change laboratory study, sixty participants performed a simple cognitive task battery (finding A's test and number comparison test) and an emotional state questionnaire within nine different colour scenes while using three postures (normal sitting (SP), −12° head-down bed (HD) and 9.6° head-up tilt bed (HU)). The results showed that in all colour scenes, the HD posture significantly reduced the participants' task performance and level of positive emotions. There was also some variability in task performance and emotional reaction by scene colour. Overall, the study adds to our understanding of how environmental and postural factors impact on cognition and emotion.