Objective:

2

To summarize and elucidate the characteristics and evolvement of Chinese medicine (CM) patterns reflecting the physical and mental conditions of participants in the Mars 500 long-term closed environment.

Methods:

2

The DS01-T Digital TCM Four-Diagnostic Instrument and CM Inquiring Diagnostic Questionnaire were used to collect information from 6 participants in the Mars 500 International Joint Research Project

through diagnostic methods of observation

palpation and inquiry according to CM theory. During the 520 days of the experiment

data collection was performed 37 times; a total of over 400 digital images of tongues and facial complexion and over 20

000 data were collected. These data were then analyzed by a team of experts in CM

statistics

and data mining.

Results:

2

The CM pattern evolvement of participants in the long-term closed environment followed some common trends. Qi deficiency was the main CM pattern observed

with individual features depending on constitutional differences [manifested in varying degrees of accompanying patterns of Gan (Liver) qi stagnation

Pi (Spleen) deficiency

dampness encumbering

or yin deficiency].

Conclusion:

2

The research has verified the effectiveness of CM syndrome differentiation based on the four diagnostic methods

which should serve as a solid foundation for observation

monitoring

and intervention in regard to the health conditions of astronauts in long-term space flights in the future.