Evaluation of Fatigue and Mitigations During Long-haul Operations
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
Summary
The purpose of the present study is to test novel countermeasures to reduce fatigue among airline pilots during long-haul flight operations. The investigators will collect objective and subjective sleep, sleepiness, workload, and performance data from active-duty line pilots flying long-haul flight operations (\>8 hours). Data will be collected during days off prior to the trip start, during flights and layover, and during days off following the trip end.
Description
This study will evaluate whether a calorie restriction and lighting countermeasure are capable of improving performance and reducing fatigue and sleepiness among commercial airline pilots during trips that involve long-haul (LH) overnight operations. All participants will collect data for two LH trips that involve overnight flying, and for three days before and after each trip. All participants will collect baseline data for one trip with no intervention. Upon completion of the baseline trip, participants will be randomized to receive the intervention or control for a future similar trip. The…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 18+ years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Yes
Inclusion Criteria: * All medically qualified, active-duty pilots currently flying overnight long-haul operations are eligible to be included as participants in the study. Participants must be line pilots that spend at least 50% of their typical monthly schedule flying long-haul operations (defined at flights over eight hours induration). Exclusion Criteria: * Pilots with metabolic disorders, such as diabetes, those actively trying to lose weight or receiving GLP-1 injections, or those who indicate that they are sensitive to light will be excluded from participation. The medical monitor wil…
Interventions
- BehavioralCaloric restriction
To reduce calorie intake during the biological night to \< 10% of calculated daily need.
- DeviceLight exposure
To wear blue-enriched light emitting glasses for 20 minutes following an inflight rest break before returning to the flight deck during both outbound and return flights.
Location
- NASA Ames Research CenterMountain View, California