Construction of mental fatigue induction paradigm based on simulation tasks for military pilots
HU Yiwen
ZHU Yuyang
XIE Duo
HAO Yaokun
LIU Xin
GE Hanxiao
HAN Mengfei
YANG Liu
Abstract：Objective To construct a ground-based mental fatigue induction paradigm for military pilots with a simulated task and to evaluate its effectiveness in inducing a state of mental fatigue.Methods 50 military pilots were recruited to continually perform a 100-minute simulated flight task involving mental arithmetic and flight situation maintenance.Subjective fatigue ratings,critical flicker fusion frequency(CFF),cognitive task behavioral indicators(reaction time and related metrics),and electroencephalography(EEG)indicators(contingent negative variation,CNV)were collected before and after the task to assess the reliability of the paradigm in inducing mental fatigue.Results After completing the simulated task,subjective fatigue levels increased significantly(t=4.16,P<0.001).Discrimination of red light flicker fusion frequency decreased(t=-3.16,P=0.015).Reaction time variance increased significantly(t=6.083,P<0.01).The proportions of reaction time exceeding 300 ms and 400 ms were both increased significantly(exceeding 300 ms:z=2.527,P<0.01;exceeding 400 ms:z=2.207,P<0.05).The amplitude of the CNV also showed significant negative changes(significant changes observed at FCz,Cz,CPz,and POz electrodes).Conclusion The simulated task could successfully induce a state of mental fatigue in military pilots.
Keywords：mental fatiguemilitary pilotsEEGflash fusion frequencycognitive task
Publication Date：2026-02-25
Online Publishing Date：2026-03-26(First online date of this platform, not the publication date of the document)
Pages：5( 12-16 )