Cognitive skills degradation of airline transport pilots caused by fatique during night duties

Fatigue in airline transport pilots resulting from irregular duty schedules, night operations and disrupted circadian rhythms is a major safety concern in commercial aviation. Previous research has demonstrated the impact of sleep loss on reaction time, vigilance and executive functions, but less is known about acute changes in these functions in line pilots during real day and night duties. The aim of the study was to quantitatively assess changes in reaction time, psychomotor vigilance and selective attention in airline transport pilots after day and night flights and to analyse the association between subjective sleepiness ratings and objective performance measures. The study included 16 airline transport pilots who completed pre-post assessments during one day duty and one night duty. Cognitive performance was measured using three computerised tests in the PEBL environment (Simple Response Time, Psychomotor Vigilance Task, Go/No-Go), and subjective sleepiness was assessed with the Karolinska Sleepiness Scale. Pre-post changes during day and night duties were compared and correlations between KSS scores and changes in performance were analysed. The results showed a statistically significant deterioration in reaction time and an increase in errors in the Go/No-Go task after night duties. The...