Psychophysical Coherence Training Regulating Air Traffic Controller's Heart Rate Variability and Resilience to Fatigue

Abstract. Heart Rate Variability (HRV) can reflect individuals’ cognitive workload objectively. HRV measurement is a non-invasive method to evaluate relevant physiological changes in a human body. Physiological changes and cognitive processes are associated with the cardiac dynamic autonomic control, and thus to influence individuals’ ability to cope with fatigue and achieve resilience. As a dynamic process to be learned, resilience can be formed and improved through Quick Coherence Training in a short time. To study the regulatory effects of coherence training on Air Traffic Controllers’ (ATCOs) HRV and resilience ability, the HRV parameters of 34 qualified ATCOs before and after Quick Coherence Training (QCT) are collected and analysed by paired T-Test. Also, participants’ HRV at rest are recorded as baseline. The results show that the coherence, mean RR interval, SDNN, and RMSSD after QCT are significantly higher than before. The mean heart rate after QCT is significantly lower than before. The findings demonstrate that coherence has effective and efficient regulatory effects on coherence, mean RR interval, SDNN, mean heart rate, and RMSSD. Psychological coherence training can be an efficient method for ensuring ATCOs recover from fatigue and achieve resilience quickly during the short break in long-time continuing monitoring and controlling. The findings in the current research can have potential to be further developed for Fatigue Risk Management System which is required by ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization) to be applied for Air Navigation Services providers.

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