PARIS, Dec. 14 (UPI) -- The European Space Agency has used volunteers who spent two months in bed, with their feet higher than their head, to recreate effects of weightlessness.
The volunteers -- all women from Switzerland, Scotland, Finland and France -- had to carry out all daily activities while in their bed, tilted back at a six degree angle, the BBC reported Wednesday.
The findings of the research, now in its final phase, will help scientists anticipate medical problems that may arise as space missions go farther and last longer, the Paris-based ESA said.
The women underwent more than 180 tests, and were kept under constant video scrutiny before being allowed out of bed. During the 60-day "bed-rest" stint they were allowed books, TV, music and Internet access, but had face-to-face contact only with medical staff.
The project concludes next week at a medical research center in Toulouse, France.
The volunteers were each paid $18,000 (15,200 euros) for their participation. Another group of 12 completed the bed-rest experiment earlier this year.
The BBC said 12 scientific teams from 11 nations are involved in the study, with their findings expected to be published next year.
