Healthy VolunteersµGµScanNCT03561545
VISUALIZATION OF THE MICROCIRCULATION IN WEIGHTLESSNESS
A study testing weightlessness (parabolic flight) in people with Healthy Volunteers, run by University Hospital, Caen at 1 site in France.
Trial summary
During weightlessness, the cardiovascular system is subject to rapid changes which has been demonstrated in studies of short term (Space Shuttle) and long term missions to Skylab, MIR, and the International Space Station (Nicogossian et al., 1989; Blomquist, 1994; Platts et al., 2014). Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 67 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Healthy Volunteers
- What is being tested?
- weightlessness (parabolic flight)
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 16 participants
- Where
- 1 siteFrance
- Study dates
- 11 Sep 2017to 30 Dec 2019
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 to 67 years
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Healthy volunteers (men or women)
- Aged from 18 to 67
- Affiliated to a Social Security system and, for non-French resident, holding a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)
- Who accepted to take part in the study
- Who have given their written stated consent
- Who have passed a medical examination similar to a standard aviation medical examination for private pilot aptitude (JAR FCL3 Class 2 medical examination). There will be no additional test performed for subject selection
Who cannot join
- Persons who took part in a previous biomedical research protocol, of which exclusion period is not terminated
- Pregnant women (urine pregnancy test for women of childbearing potential)
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
During weightlessness, the cardiovascular system is subject to rapid changes which has been demonstrated in studies of short term (Space Shuttle) and long term missions to Skylab, MIR, and the International Space Station (Nicogossian et al., 1989; Blomquist, 1994; Platts et al., 2014). There is also evidence for changes in the blood vessel structure, the metabolism and the responses to vasodilator and constrictor substances that might have long-term health consequences resembling the effects of aging on the cardiovascular system (Hughson and Shoemaker, 2004). Cardiovascular adaptations cause an increased incidence of postflight orthostatic intolerance (fainting), decreased cardiac output and reduced exercise capacity. Besides these postflight effects, weightlessness could also have harmful consequences during the flight. For example, it has been shown that cardiac arrhythmia may occur during space missions, even in healthy individuals (Convertino, 2009).
To understand the cardiovascular reactions of the human body to changing conditions of gravity is thus an important aim of space science.
Read more
While non-invasive imaging of microcirculation is a very promising tool to evaluate cardiovascular condition, knowledge on the involvement of the microcirculation in cardiovascular alterations induced by weightlessness is very limited and further research in this field seems promising. Before using a non-invasive technique for imaging the microcirculation during space flights, it has to be evaluated on earth.
Different proven simulation models exist for investigating the effects of weightlessness on the human body under terrestrial conditions: head down bed rest, dry and wet immersion, and parabolic flights. Among these models, only parabolic flight recreates a real state of weightlessness (see the participant document of information for a description of parabolic flights). Cardiovascular studies have often been performed during parabolic flights. Within the limitations inherent to the method (short duration of weightlessness - about 21 s - following and followed by hypergravity 20 s periods at 1.8g), some remarkable results have been published over the years.
The aim of our research approach is to test feasibility of the in vivo evaluation of the microcirculation in parabolic flight in order to be able to better describe cardiovascular response mechanisms under these conditions. In this context, we expect alterations in the microcirculatory flow during the weightlessness period of parabolic flight.
Our approach might help develop a diagnostic tool to more easily identify weightlessness-induced cardiovascular diseases and improve strategies for adapting astronauts to weightlessness prior to the space mission.
- Conditions
- Healthy Volunteers
- Being tested
- weightlessness (parabolic flight)
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
weightlessness (parabolic flight)Other
weightlessness (parabolic flight)
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Functional capillary density | Experimental | Functional capillary density during weightlessness Receives: Other: weightlessness (parabolic flight) |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Functional capillary density
Measured: baseline
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted19 Jun 2018
- Study start11 Sep 2017
- Primary completion30 Sep 2019
- Study completion30 Dec 2019
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Healthy VolunteersStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Basic science
- Allocation
- Not applicable
- Intervention model
- Single group
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 16 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- University Hospital, Caen
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT03561545
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 17-096
- Acronym
- µGµScan
- Status last verified
- Feb 2024
- First submitted
- 7 Jun 2018
- Last updated
- 18 Mar 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 18 Mar 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- VISUALIZATION OF THE MICROCIRCULATION IN WEIGHTLESSNESS
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT03561545
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- µGµScan / 17-096
- Conditions
- Healthy Volunteers
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 16 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- University Hospital, CaenUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 11 Sep 2017 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 30 Sep 2019 (actual)
- Study completion
- 30 Dec 2019 (actual)
- First posted
- 19 Jun 2018 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
During weightlessness, the cardiovascular system is subject to rapid changes which has been demonstrated in studies of short term (Space Shuttle) and long term missions to Skylab, MIR, and the International Space Station (Nicogossian et al., 1989; Blomquist, 1994; Platts et al., 2014). There is also evidence for changes in the blood vessel structure, the metabolism and the responses to vasodilator and constrictor substances that might have long-term health consequences resembling the effects of aging on the cardiovascular system (Hughson and Shoemaker, 2004). Cardiovascular adaptations cause an increased incidence of postflight orthostatic intolerance (fainting), decreased cardiac output and reduced exercise capacity. Besides these postflight effects, weightlessness could also have harmful consequences during the flight. For example, it has been shown that cardiac arrhythmia may occur during space missions, even in healthy individuals (Convertino, 2009).
To understand the cardiovascular reactions of the human body to changing conditions of gravity is thus an important aim of space science.
While non-invasive imaging of microcirculation is a very promising tool to evaluate cardiovascular condition, knowledge on the involvement of the microcirculation in cardiovascular alterations induced by weightlessness is very limited and further research in this field seems promising. Before using a non-invasive technique for imaging the microcirculation during space flights, it has to be evaluated on earth.
Different proven simulation models exist for investigating the effects of weightlessness on the human body under terrestrial conditions: head down bed rest, dry and wet immersion, and parabolic flights. Among these models, only parabolic flight recreates a real state of weightlessness (see the participant document of information for a description of parabolic flights). Cardiovascular studies have often been performed during parabolic flights. Within the limitations inherent to the method (short duration of weightlessness - about 21 s - following and followed by hypergravity 20 s periods at 1.8g), some remarkable results have been published over the years.
The aim of our research approach is to test feasibility of the in vivo evaluation of the microcirculation in parabolic flight in order to be able to better describe cardiovascular response mechanisms under these conditions. In this context, we expect alterations in the microcirculatory flow during the weightlessness period of parabolic flight.
Our approach might help develop a diagnostic tool to more easily identify weightlessness-induced cardiovascular diseases and improve strategies for adapting astronauts to weightlessness prior to the space mission.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Basic science
- Allocation
- Not applicable
- Intervention model
- Single group
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 1
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Functional capillary density | Experimental | Other: weightlessness (parabolic flight)Functional capillary density during weightlessness |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 67 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (6 listed)
- Healthy volunteers (men or women)
- Aged from 18 to 67
- Affiliated to a Social Security system and, for non-French resident, holding a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)
- Who accepted to take part in the study
- Who have given their written stated consent
Key exclusion criteria (2 listed)
- Persons who took part in a previous biomedical research protocol, of which exclusion period is not terminated
- Pregnant women (urine pregnancy test for women of childbearing potential)
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| weightlessness (parabolic flight)weightlessness (parabolic flight) | Other | Functional capillary density |
Primary outcome
Functional capillary density
Time frame: baseline
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 18 Mar 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
The record lists no contact. Use the official record to reach the sponsor.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing weightlessness (parabolic flight) in people with Healthy Volunteers, run by University Hospital, Caen at 1 site in France.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 6 inclusion and 2 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 18 Mar 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in France. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Functional capillary density (time frame: baseline). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 18 Mar 2026.