Transcranial Electrical Stimulation to Sustain Aviator Performance: The Effects of Timing of Stimulation and Individual Differences
Abstract
Future Army aviation operations will require aviators to be able to maintain attention while interacting with high levels of automation. This will necessitate that they not only engage in vigilant attention, but also be able to redirect attention to tasks that arise, such as unanticipated emergencies. Therefore, the tasks they will be responsible for completing will require not only monitoring the automated system, but also maintaining the progression of the flight and making quick decisions as high workload scenarios arise. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate whether tDCS can sustain aviator performance through its effects on sustaining vigilance (alertness and attention). This study employed a single-blind, randomized, sham-controlled, mixed design to evaluate the main effects of stimulation and timing of delivery on flight performance. There was one within-subjects factor, stimulation mode, with two levels: active stimulation and sham stimulation. There was one between-subjects factor, timing of stimulation delivery, with two levels: prior to the flight (preflight) and during the flight (during flight).
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 23, 2021
- Accession Number
- AD1148753
Entities
People
- Amanda M. Kelley
- Carmelo P. Morabito
- Colby Mathews
- Kathryn A. Feltman
- Ryan Mackie
Organizations
- United States Army Aeromedical Research Lab