The Application of a Computerized Cognitive Screening Tool in Naval Aviators

Abstract

Introduction: The CogScreen-Aeromedical Edition (CogScreen-AE) is a computerized neurocognitive assessment screening tool developed for the Federal Aviation Administration as a rapid, reliable means of measuring neurocognitive deficiency in civilian airline pilots. This has potential use and assessment of military aviators flying high performance aircraft under extreme conditions; however, no data exist on how the dynamic flight environment affects CogScreen-AE scores. The objectives of this study were to determine what changes in performance on CogScreen-AE scores are seen post-flight in Naval Aviators flying high performance aircraft and to determine the potential for use of CogScreen-AE as a screening tool to evaluate degree of impairment, recovery from neurological illness, and return to duty status of a military aviator. Materials and Methods: Repeated measures, within-subjects experimental design with three CogScreen-AE administrations - introduction session, preflight session, and postflight session. An experimental study group was exposed to dynamic flight between preflight and postflight sessions, while a control group flew a desktop computer flight simulator between sessions. Data were analyzed by mixed model ANOVA using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences to compare CogScreen-AE pre- and postflight performance on 5 composite scores of variables that account for 45% of the variance in predicting flight performance. Results: Preflight versus postflight scores demonstrated no significant differences in performance attributable to flight in high performance aircraft. Conclusions: The CogScreen-AE performance is shown to be consistent preflight to post-flight. These data show that CogScreen-AE may be a reliable clinical instrument for assessing aviators' cognitive function with regard to return to flight duty decision-making. We anticipate future work in determining how CogScreen-AE can be utilized in the operational environment and documenting recovery from neurologic illness.