Fatigue Countermeasure Program in Operational Flight Controllers
| Status: | Completed |
|---|---|
| Conditions: | Other Indications |
| Therapuetic Areas: | Other |
| Healthy: | No |
| Age Range: | 18 - Any |
| Updated: | 1/20/2019 |
| Start Date: | September 2012 |
| End Date: | November 2012 |
Experimental Trial of Fatigue Countermeasure Program in Operational Flight Controllers
The purpose of this study is to validate the acceptability, operational feasibility and
efficacy of a combined fatigue countermeasure comprised of shorter-wavelength light and
exercise during operational Orbit 1 night shifts to improve alertness and performance of
flight mission controllers.
Specifically, the investigators will:
1. Feasibility. Test the feasibility of developing a break room containing fatigue
countermeasures (shorter-wavelength light and exercise equipment) to be used by flight
mission controllers during Orbit 1 night shifts, and the feasibility to schedule regular
breaks during the Orbit 1 shift so that flight mission controllers have the opportunity
to use the fatigue countermeasures break room.
2. Acceptability. Test the acceptability of the use of the fatigue countermeasures break
room evaluating when and how the room is used by flight mission controllers, as measured
on End-of-Shift Productivity Questionnaire.
3. Test the hypothesis that alertness and performance will be impaired in flight mission
controllers during Orbit 1 operational night shifts as compared to flight mission
controllers working a non-console day shift.
4. Test the hypothesis that alertness and performance of flight mission controllers who
exercise and are exposed to shorter wavelength light during the Orbit 1 night shift will
be significantly more alert and have better mood, performance (e.g., less Psychomotor
Vigilance Task (PVT) lapses, increased productivity) than those same mission controllers
working Orbit 1 night shifts without exposure to the shorter wavelength light and
exercise.
5. Test the acceptability, operational feasibility and efficacy of implementing an
anonymous sleep disorders screening for flight controllers, evaluated by number of
visitors to the screening web site and the number of completed assessments.
efficacy of a combined fatigue countermeasure comprised of shorter-wavelength light and
exercise during operational Orbit 1 night shifts to improve alertness and performance of
flight mission controllers.
Specifically, the investigators will:
1. Feasibility. Test the feasibility of developing a break room containing fatigue
countermeasures (shorter-wavelength light and exercise equipment) to be used by flight
mission controllers during Orbit 1 night shifts, and the feasibility to schedule regular
breaks during the Orbit 1 shift so that flight mission controllers have the opportunity
to use the fatigue countermeasures break room.
2. Acceptability. Test the acceptability of the use of the fatigue countermeasures break
room evaluating when and how the room is used by flight mission controllers, as measured
on End-of-Shift Productivity Questionnaire.
3. Test the hypothesis that alertness and performance will be impaired in flight mission
controllers during Orbit 1 operational night shifts as compared to flight mission
controllers working a non-console day shift.
4. Test the hypothesis that alertness and performance of flight mission controllers who
exercise and are exposed to shorter wavelength light during the Orbit 1 night shift will
be significantly more alert and have better mood, performance (e.g., less Psychomotor
Vigilance Task (PVT) lapses, increased productivity) than those same mission controllers
working Orbit 1 night shifts without exposure to the shorter wavelength light and
exercise.
5. Test the acceptability, operational feasibility and efficacy of implementing an
anonymous sleep disorders screening for flight controllers, evaluated by number of
visitors to the screening web site and the number of completed assessments.
Each participant will have three data collection periods. Each data collection period will
last one shift rotation (5 -7 days): One 5-shift or 7-shift block of Orbit 1 night shifts on
console with access to photic and exercise countermeasures, a second 5-shift or 7-shift block
of Orbit 1 night shifts on console with no access to countermeasures, and a third 5-shift
block of daytime office work off console. We will be measuring sleep via a wrist worn
activity measuring device and compliance of exercise intervention via a small, commercially
available heart monitor worn around the chest underneath clothing. The activity device will
be worn continuously and the heart monitor will be worn on shift. These devices will be
downloaded at the end of each block of shifts. Subjects will complete a short baseline
questionnaire once at the beginning of the study. Subjective alertness will be assessed with
the Karolinska Sleepiness Scale (KSS), performance testing will occur regularly and 'end of
shift' questionnaires will be completed at the end of each shift. Drowsiness will be measured
on the commute to and from work with the Optalert.
last one shift rotation (5 -7 days): One 5-shift or 7-shift block of Orbit 1 night shifts on
console with access to photic and exercise countermeasures, a second 5-shift or 7-shift block
of Orbit 1 night shifts on console with no access to countermeasures, and a third 5-shift
block of daytime office work off console. We will be measuring sleep via a wrist worn
activity measuring device and compliance of exercise intervention via a small, commercially
available heart monitor worn around the chest underneath clothing. The activity device will
be worn continuously and the heart monitor will be worn on shift. These devices will be
downloaded at the end of each block of shifts. Subjects will complete a short baseline
questionnaire once at the beginning of the study. Subjective alertness will be assessed with
the Karolinska Sleepiness Scale (KSS), performance testing will occur regularly and 'end of
shift' questionnaires will be completed at the end of each shift. Drowsiness will be measured
on the commute to and from work with the Optalert.
Inclusion Criteria:
- Must be current Johnson Space Center International Space Station Flight Controller or
Flight Director cleared to sit console for Orbit 1 work shift
- Work schedule must meet both study needs and National Aeronautics and Space
Administration (NASA) scheduling operational constraints
Exclusion Criteria:
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