Research papers

Understanding human error in military aviation maintenance: The role of Performance shaping factors, cognitive workload and error orientation

Investigating the Independent and Combined Effects of Startle and Surprise in a Simulated Flight Task

Objective We aimed to characterize the impact of startle and surprise, both independently and in combination, on subjective feelings, behavior (task performance and gaze behavior), and several physiological parameters.

Recovery from startle and surprise: A survey of airline pilots' operational experience using a startle and surprise management method

Cognitive Biases in Commercial Aviation: Empirical Review of Accident Reports

Cognitive biases in commercial aviation can coax pilots into disregarding established protocols or overlooking potential hazards, a concern that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has acknowledged.

Are Peer Support Programs Effective in the Detection and Prevention of Mental Health Issues in Commercial Aviation?

ABSTRACT Background In the aftermath of the Germanwings crash in 2015, several regulations have been instituted around pilots’ mental health issues and flight safety.

Analysis on coupling dynamic effect of human errors in aviation safety.

Human factors have increasingly been the leading cause of aircraft accidents. In most cases, human factors are not working alone, instead they are coupled with complex environment, mechanical factors, physiological and p…

The influence of an esports-adapted coping effectiveness training (E-CET) on resilience, mental health, and subjective performance among elite league of Legends players: A pilot study.

OBJECTIVE This study aimed to develop, and pilot esports-adapted coping effectiveness training (E-CET) and measure its influence on coping effectiveness (global and specific), subjective performance, mental health (psych…

A narrative review of the interconnection between pilot acute stress, startle, and surprise effects in the aviation context: Contribution of physiological measurements

Aviation remains one of the safest modes of transportation. However, an inappropriate response to an unexpected event can lead to flight incidents and accidents.

An Aviator Centered Approach to Mental Health: A Preliminary Look at Stressors, Barriers to Care, and Untreated Aviator Mental Health

The purposeful crash of Germanwings 9525 in March 2015 provided a wake-up call to the aviation community on the ramifications of untreated mental health in commercial aviation.

Validation of Training Satisfaction Survey

The Training Satisfaction Survey (TSS) was developed as part of a larger project to examine the features of Virtual Reality software and supporting devices as a training program on visual illusions and spatial disorienta…

Internet-based emotion-regulation training added to CBT in adolescents with depressive and anxiety disorders: A pilot randomized controlled trial to examine feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effectiveness

Background Dysfunctional emotion regulation (ER) is associated with symptoms of depression and anxiety in adolescents. This pilot study aimed to examine the acceptability and feasibility of a guided internet-based emotio…

The case for change: aviation worker wellbeing during the COVID 19 pandemic, and the need for an integrated health and safety culture

The workplace is an important setting for health protection, health promotion and disease prevention. Currently, health and wellbeing approaches at an aviation organisational level are not addressing both human and safet…

Resource-Strengthening Training for Parents of Adolescents with Problematic Gaming (Res@t-P): A Clinical Pilot Study

Background: Problematic gaming (PG) has become an increasing mental health issue among adolescents during the preceding years. The role of parents and the family environment in the development of PG has been repeatedly e…

Impact of human factors in aircraft accident mitigation and aircraft maintenance training needs in post COVID-19 aviation

Purpose The purpose of this study is to analyze the effect of human factor training in aircraft maintenance accident mitigation and aircraft safety in post COVID-19 aviation scenarios.

Feasibility of an online training and support program for dementia carers: results from a mixed-methods pilot randomized controlled trial

Background iSupport is an online program developed by the World Health Organization to provide education, skills training, and social support to informal carers of persons with dementia.

Virtual reality during work breaks to reduce fatigue of intensive unit caregivers: A crossover, pilot, randomised trial.

PURPOSE Intensive care unit (ICU) caregivers are exposed to high levels of stress. Work-related stress can impact quality of life and may lead to burnout.

A pilot RCT of virtual reality job interview training in transition-age youth on the autism spectrum.

Background Adolescents on the autism spectrum may have difficulty obtaining and maintaining employment. One particular obstacle for adolescents on the autism spectrum is the job interview.

Evaluation of a Fast Test Based on Biometric Signals to Assess Mental Fatigue at the Workplace—A Pilot Study

Non-pathological mental fatigue is a recurring, but undesirable condition among people in the fields of office work, industry, and education.

Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial of the WHO Caregiver Skills Training in Public Health Services in Italy

Parents of children with ASD (N = 86; mean age 44.8 months; 67 boys) were randomized to either WHO Caregiver Skills Training (CST) delivered in public health settings in Italy or enhanced treatment-as-usual.

A fault tree-based approach for aviation risk analysis considering mental workload overload

Many lives and aircrafts have been lost due to human errors associated with mental workload overload (MWLOL). Human errors are successfully considered in existing Fault Tree Analysis (FTA) methods.

Cognitive behavioural therapy versus health education for sleep disturbance and fatigue after acquired brain injury: a pilot randomised trial.

CBT-SF can be an effective treatment option for sleep disturbance and fatigue after ABI, over and above HE, and may provide delayed benefit for sleep, possibly by improving mood.

Safety voice and safety listening during aviation accidents: Cockpit voice recordings reveal that speaking-up to power is not enough

Abstract Safety voice is theorised as an important factor for mitigating accidents, but behavioural research during actual hazards has been scant.

Feasibility of using a biofeedback device in mindfulness training - a pilot randomized controlled trial

Background Stress can negatively impact an individual’s health and well-being and high levels of stress are noted to exist among college students today.

Effectiveness of communication skill training on cancer truth‐telling for advanced practice nurses in Taiwan: A pilot study

Advanced practice nurses (APNs) can best support physicians in improving the quality of truth‐telling. However, the effectiveness of communication skill training (CST), based on the Japanese SHARE model exclusive to APNs…

Effects of physical fatigue on the induction of mental fatigue of construction workers: A pilot study based on a neurophysiological approach

Within a dynamic and complex working environment, fatigue statuses (involving physical and mental fatigue) of workers on construction sites tend to have a more serious impact on work performance than general workplaces.

The effectiveness of smartphone compassion training on stress among Swedish university students: A pilot randomized trial.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects of a 6-week smartphone compassion training intervention on mental health. METHOD Fifty-seven Swedish university students (mean age = 25, SD = 5) reporting high levels of stress were r…

Assessing the relationship between organizational management factors and a resilient safety culture in a collegiate aviation program with Safety Management Systems (SMS)

Abstract Extant research advocates for assessing and continuously improving resilient safety culture in high-reliability organizations (HROs) such as aviation that has a fully functional Safety Management Systems (SMS).

Digital Training for Non-Specialist Health Workers to Deliver a Brief Psychological Treatment for Depression in Primary Care in India: Findings from a Randomized Pilot Study

Introduction: Task sharing holds promise for scaling up depression care in countries such as India, yet requires training large numbers of non-specialist health workers.

Sleepiness on the flight deck: Reported rates of occurrence and predicted fatigue risk exposure associated with UK airline pilot work schedules

Abstract Survey and field studies conducted with commercial airline pilots suggest that in-flight sleepiness and related involuntary sleep phenomena are experienced by pilots during their duties.

Responding to an Unexpected In-Flight Event: Physiological Arousal, Information Processing, and Performance

Objective The study was designed to investigate whether a simulated unexpected abnormal flight event can lead to startle and explore differences in behavioral responses between expected and unexpected abnormal flight eve…

Brief Workplace Interventions Addressing Burnout, Compassion Fatigue, and Teamwork: A Pilot Study

Burnout and compassion fatigue are problematic for nurses, patients, and organizations. Identifying brief interventions nurses can engage in while at work to address compassion fatigue, burnout, and teamwork, as burnout …

A randomised clinical pilot trial to test the effectiveness of parent training with video modelling to improve functioning and symptoms in children with autism spectrum disorders and intellectual disability.

BACKGROUND Poor eye contact and joint attention are early signs of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and important prerequisites for developing other socio-communicative skills.

Effectiveness of a transdiagnostic group intervention to enhance emotion regulation in young Afghan refugees: A pilot randomized controlled study.

There are several challenges to providing mental health care for refugees, including high comorbidity and structural barriers. Targeting transdiagnostic processes in a low-threshold group intervention appears particularl…

The Effectiveness of a Mnemonic-Type Startle and Surprise Management Procedure for Pilots

ABSTRACT Background: Mnemonic-type startle and surprise procedures were previously proposed to help pilots cope with startle and surprise in-flight, but effects on performance after procedure execution have not yet been …

“Old” and “new” safety thinking: Perspectives of aviation safety investigators

Abstract The development of various safety paradigms over time has led to public discussions that tend to highlight a dichotomy between the so-called “old” and “new” safety thinking.

Evidence-Based Integrated Intervention in Patients with Schizophrenia: A Pilot Study of Feasibility and Effectiveness in a Real-World Rehabilitation Setting

Impairment in real-world functioning remains one of the most problematic challenges that people with schizophrenia have to face. Various psychosocial interventions have proven to be effective in promoting recovery and im…

Assessing the effectiveness of a comprehensive menstrual health intervention program in Ugandan schools (MENISCUS): process evaluation of a pilot intervention study

Background Poor menstrual health and hygiene (MHH) is a globally recognised public health challenge. A pilot study of an MHH intervention was conducted in two secondary schools in Entebbe, Uganda, over 9 months.

A resilience group training program for people with multiple sclerosis: Results of a pilot single-blind randomized controlled trial and nested qualitative study

Introduction An Australian case series study demonstrated the effectiveness of the REsilience and Activities for every DaY for people with multiple sclerosis (READY for MS), a resilience group training program based on A…

Mindfulness training for a college team: Feasibility, acceptability, and effectiveness from within an athletic department

Abstract Mindfulness-based interventions for athletes—including Mindful Sport Performance Enhancement (MSPE)—have demonstrated promising results.

Adaptive conjunctive cognitive training (ACCT) in virtual reality for chronic stroke patients: a randomized controlled pilot trial

Current evidence for the effectiveness of post-stroke cognitive rehabilitation is weak, possibly due to two reasons. First, patients typically express cognitive deficits in several domains.

Improving Air Traffic Identification by Conducting Refresher Training of Analog and Digital Clocks

Air traffic controllers (ATC) frequently alert pilots to air traffic using an analog clock metaphor. When ATC issues a traffic alert indicating that traffic is at 2 o’clock, the pilot should look approximately 60° to the…

First Steps Toward Positive Behavior Support in the Netherlands: A Pilot Study Exploring the Effectiveness of a Training for Staff

Despite the effectiveness of positive behavior support (PBS) in reducing challenging behaviors, the availability of PBS for individuals with intellectual disabilities is limited in many countries including the Netherland…

Compassion Meditation Training for Hospital Chaplain Residents: A Pilot Study

Abstract This study examines the effectiveness of incorporating compassion meditation training into a clinical pastoral education (CPE) curriculum to enhance compassion satisfaction and reduce burnout among hospital chap…

Effectiveness and feasibility of a mindful leadership course for medical specialists: a pilot study

Medical specialists experience high levels of stress. This has an impact on their well-being, but also on quality of their leadership.

The Effectiveness of Charge Nurse Training on Leadership Style and Resiliency.

OBJECTIVE The study objective was to investigate a charge nurse pilot training program as an effective, evidence-based training modality to improve leadership style and resiliency.

Fatigue management for adults living with HIV: A randomized controlled pilot study.

Fatigue is a prevalent symptom for adults living with HIV infection. The purpose of this randomized clinical trial was to pilot test a behavioral-educational intervention to reduce fatigue.

Safe limits, mindful organizing and loss of control in commercial aviation

Abstract In commercial aviation, loss of control (LOC) incidents are currently the single biggest cause of accident fatalities. Although LOC incidents typically have multiple causes, inappropriate flight crew responses t…

A new training program in developing cultural intelligence can also improve innovative work behavior and resilience: A longitudinal pilot study of graduate students and professional employees

Abstract The ever-increasing globalization and workforce diversity in today's business environment present ongoing challenges for organizational leaders and employees who wish to function effectively in cross-cultural se…

The feasibility of Pilates to improve symptoms of anxiety, depression, and fatigue among people with Multiple Sclerosis: An eight-week randomized controlled pilot trial

Abstract Objective Evidence supports benefits of exercise for mental health among people with Multiple Sclerosis (PwMS). However, non-traditional exercise modes like Pilates remain understudied.

Effects of a Mixed Reality-based Cognitive Training System Compared to a Conventional Computer-assisted Cognitive Training System on Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Pilot Study

Background: Mixed reality (MR) technology, which combines the best features of augmented reality and virtual reality, has recently emerged as a promising tool in cognitive rehabilitation therapy.