Sustaining Aviator Performance During Extended Operational Flight

Completed · Not applicable · Has a placebo group

Conditions studied: Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation

In brief

Future aviation operations are anticipated to change as advances in technology enable automation of more tasks. Development of new platforms under the Future Vertical Lift program are also anticipated to change the nature of missions as they are being designed to cover further distances. Longer duration flights coupled with greater automated features are expected to shift the role of the aviator, resulting in an increased need for attention maintenance, which creates potential problems related to performance. To offset the likelihood of performance decrements related to the need to sustain attention, we propose examining the use of transcranial electrical current stimulation. In the present study, we will evaluate whether delivery of stimulation prior to or during the task enables sustainment of attention and thereby reduces performance decrements as measured through primary flight tasks and a secondary attentional task. Further, we will evaluate whether stimulation enhances the ability to respond to an unexpected emergency toward the end of the flight.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT04697901

Run by

United States Army Aeromedical Research Laboratory

People needed

26

Starts

2020-11-09

Expected to finish

2021-09-30

Last updated by the study team

2022-01-25

Who can join

Age: 18 and older, up to 40. Sex: male. Healthy volunteers: accepted.

You may qualify if…

• Must be a male 18 (Active Duty) or 19 (National Guard, Reservist) to 40 years old.
• Must be a rated rotary-wing aviator with at least 200 hours of total flight experience, and have flown (aircraft or simulator) within the past 6 months, assessed by self-report.
• Must have a current DD-2292 (up-slip indicating clear for flight duties). Subjects will self-report this on the medical history questionnaire (Appendix A).
• Must have obtained at minimum 6 hours of sleep prior to data collection, as assessed by actigraphy data and self-report.
• Must have refrained from consumption of caffeine and medications that cause drowsiness, 16 hours, nicotine, 2 hours, and alcohol, 24 hours, prior to the study, assessed by self-report.

You may not qualify if…

• Not having a current DD-2992.
• The following medically-related exclusionary criteria will be used, as assessed and verified by the study physician (in addition to possessing a DD-2992):
• Currently taking medications which induce drowsiness, such as over-the-counter antihistamines. Any self-medication will be assessed through self-report
• No current medical conditions or medications affecting cognitive function or attention.
• Any history of any attention deficit condition requiring medication.
• Any history of psychological/psychiatric disorder.
• Any history of seizures, migraines, or neurological disorders.
• History of a head injury involving loss of consciousness.
• Any metal implanted within the head (e.g., shrapnel, surgical clips) or any implanted devices (e.g., cardiac pacemaker, brain stimulator, hydrocephalic shunt).
• Skin condition on the scalp, such as psoriasis or eczema, or wounds on the head.
• Currently receiving hormonal therapy treatments.
• Potential for caffeine withdrawal symptoms that will impede cognitive testing.

Where it is running

• U.S. Army Aeromedical Research Laboratory — Fort Rucker, Alabama, United States

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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