Air traffic control activity increases attention capacity in air traffic controllers

Abstract

Air traffic controllers simultaneously develop complex and multiple tasks in the course of their activities. In this context, concern is raised over the high level of attention needed by these professionals which can ultimately be affected by stress and fatigue.ObjectivesThe objective of this study was to assess attention level in air traffic controllers (ATCo).Methods45 flight protection professionals were evaluated, comprising 30 ATCo, subdivided into ATCo with ten or more years in the profession (ATCo≥10, n=15) and ATCo with less than ten years in the profession (ATCo <10, n=15) and 15 aeronautical information services operators (AIS), subdivided into AIS with ten years or more in the profession (AIS≥10, n=8) and AIS with less than ten years in the profession (AIS <10, n=7), who were included as the control group. The digit symbol, d2 (the individual marks the letter d on a specific form containing 14 lines with 47 letters in each, maintaining focus on letter d followed by two dashes), forward digit span, backward digit span and PASAT (paced auditory serial addition test) attention tests were used. Kruskal-Wallis was used and data expressed as Median (Minimum and Maximum) with p<0.05.ResultsThe ATCo≥10 presented greater focus of attention, sustained attention, mental manipulation and resistance to interference capacity compared to the AIS≥10. Comparison of ATCo≥10 to the AIS<10 showed they presented only greater resistance to interference, and when compared to the ATCo<10 presented lower focus.ConclusionsThe air traffic control activity after ten years may be associated with a high level of attention.

Stress effects on food handler attention in a public hospital in Recife-PE, Brazil

“…Regarding cognitive functions, attention was assessed in this study, revealing lower focus of attention and/or psychomotor speed in food handlers with more than 5 years in the profession, in contrast to findings of Ribas et al (2010). 21 However, it is important to clarify the methodological differences in the two studies. The present study investigated the effect of stress on Food Handlers’ attention.…”

Treatment of Depression with Quantitative Electroencephalography(QEEG) of the TQ-7 Neuro-feedback System Increases the Level of Attention of Patients

“…Another emotional state that might be trained is related to deficient restorative sleep due to lack of control of physical relaxation in the sensory-motor areas C3, Cz and C4. Training would increase the sensory-motor rhythm (12-16 Hz) and inhibit high Beta (23-38 Hz) as well as prioritize an increase in beta waves (13-21 Hz) and reductions in Delta (2-4 Hz), Theta (4-8 Hz) and Alpha waves (8)(9)(10)(11)(12) in the Fp1, Fp2, F3, F4, F7, F8, Fz and Cz regions with the ultimate aim of increasing the level of concentration and attention. The attention theory of Mateer and Mapou (1996) [9,10,19,20] guided this study.…”

“…A biochemical alteration in the brain caused by a deficiency of serotonin [8], especially in the synaptic cleft, is implicated in the psychogenesis of neurobiological nature, possibly causing an imbalance of both mood and sense of well-being in the individual. distribution and attention capacity [10]. The deployment/distribution of attention, the ability to channel attention to specific stimuli and sustain the focus on these stimuli, is divided into three aspects.…”

Deaf individuals who work with computers present a high level of visual attention

“…These authors proposed a model that does not detach attention from memory, and yet divides it into two core factors, denominated deployment and encoding. 6 , 7…”

“…Another example of this situation is a test called PASAT, which verifies the capacity of mental manipulation of information, besides the capacity of resisting interference. 6 …”