Evaluation of flight fatigue and anti-fatigue effects of modafinil based on EEG

FAN Xiaoli; DENG Lue; ZHAO Andong; GE Hua; LI Xuan; WU Feng

doi:10.3969/j.issn.2097-1753.2025.02.001

Abstract：Objective To evaluate the changes in levels of fatigue during 24-hour simulated flight tasks and the anti-fatigue effect of modafinil based on electroencephalogram(EEG)technology so as to provide data for research on the applicability of modafinil to the military.Methods Six male subjects who met the physical requirements of pilots were selected.Within-subjects-design was adopted.Each subject participated in two 24-hour continuous simulated flight tasks.During the task,modafenib and placebo were taken separately,with modafenib as the experimental group and placebo as the control group.The subjective evaluation score(including the subjective sleepiness score and fatigue score),critical flash fusion frequency and EEG data were collected throughout the experiment.Subjective evaluation and critical flash fusion frequency evaluation were used as auxiliary means to define the level of fatigue.The changes of four EEG rhythm waves,proportional parameters and wavelet entropy with flight time and the differences between the two groups were analyzed.Results During the 24-hour continuous simulation flight task,the δ-wave activity and wavelet entropy in the prefrontal area of the subjects were significantly reduced(F=1.981,0.643,P=0.030,0.016),the subjects became less vigilant,the degree of inhibition of brain activity was elevated,and fatigue was intensified.There was no significant difference between the two groups,that was,modafinil did not completely block the positive increase of fatigue,which was basically consistent with the results of subjective and critical flash fusion frequency evaluation.Conclusion The δ-wave of EEG in the prefrontal region and wavelet entropy can be used as a potential objective and effective indexes to assess the fatigue level of flight personnel and the anti-fatigue effect of modafinil.