Cognitive Load Assessment of Helicopter Pilots in Training

The aim of this study is to identify the effect of the increase of the situation demands, with or without a thread, on military helicopter pilot's cognitive load, depending on their skills acquisition (at the beginning, midway and end of training course). This study is carried out on a simulator, in virtual reality and allows to identify the moments of cognitive load enhancement and the associated indicators such as subjective, physiological and behavioural indicators. Recommendations will be done to go towards an individualization of the lessons during the pilots education, by anticipating an overload which has a deleterious effect on learning.

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Key information

Conditions

Cognitive Impairment Cognition Disorders Cognitive Dysfunction Mental Disorders Neurocognitive Disorders Situational Anxiety Skills, Coping

Age range

18 year–50 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Observational

Who can participate

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

Being a trainee at the Instructional center of helicopter crews
Being more than 18 years old
Being insured under the French social security system
Having the bases to pilot helicopters
Having signed the non-opposition form

Exclusion criteria

Being minor or an incapacitated adult
Being in a motor handicap situation
Having a cardiac pathology
Having a visual pathology that is uncorrected by glasses or lens
Having a bad audition
Having a psychiatric disorder, a neurologic or organic disorder requiring a medical treatment
Taking psychotropics
Drinking more than 28 units of alcohol per week
Being epileptic

Treatment and study plan

Primary outcomes

Subjective level of cognitive load

Time frame: It is completed during 5 minutes after each of the six scenarios

The NASA-TLX questionnaire is used to assess the subjective level of cognitive load

Secondary outcomes

Objective level of cognitive load

Time frame: It is measured during each of the six scenarios lasting around 5 minutes

It is measures by physiological indicators ( cardiac activity and electroencephalogram) and behavioural indicators (tasks performance, ocular saccades and blinks)
Subjective level of anxiety

Time frame: It is measured during 1 minute after each of the six scenarios

It is measured by a visual analogue scale
Objective level of anxiety

Time frame: It is measured during each of the six scenarios lasting around 5 minutes

It is measured by the electrodermal activity
Subjective level of fatigue

Time frame: It is measured during 1 minute before each of the six scenarios

It is measured by the Karolinska Sleepiness Scale

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

Julie ALBENTOSA

CONTACT

[email protected]

+33 1 78 65 12 17

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Direction Centrale du Service de Santé des Armées

Other

Registry information

Official study title

ÉVALUATION DE LA CHARGE COGNITIVE DES PILOTES D'HÉLICOPTÈRES EN FORMATION "ECCOLicoF"

Acronym: ECCOLicoF

Important dates

Study start: 2025
Primary completion: 2027
Study completion: 2028
First posted: Feb 18, 2025
Registry last updated: Feb 18, 2025

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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