A dynamic fALFF approach to assess emotional states in pilots through precuneus activity

Background Mental health in pilots has become a critical factor affecting flight safety in the aviation industry. Pilots face high-pressure work environments and long working hours, which can lead to mental health issues, potentially affecting their performance, impacting aviation safety.Methods We...

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Main Authors: Xi Chen, Peiran Xu, Qinsong Song, Shicong Zhang, Qingbin Meng, Qi Chu, Donglin Huang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2025-12-01
Series:Brain-Apparatus Communication
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/27706710.2025.2489388
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author Xi Chen
Peiran Xu
Qinsong Song
Shicong Zhang
Qingbin Meng
Qi Chu
Donglin Huang
author_facet Xi Chen
Peiran Xu
Qinsong Song
Shicong Zhang
Qingbin Meng
Qi Chu
Donglin Huang
author_sort Xi Chen
collection DOAJ
description Background Mental health in pilots has become a critical factor affecting flight safety in the aviation industry. Pilots face high-pressure work environments and long working hours, which can lead to mental health issues, potentially affecting their performance, impacting aviation safety.Methods We investigated the neural mechanisms underlying the mental health of civil aviation pilots by analyzing the fractional Amplitude of Low Frequency Fluctuations (dfALFF) using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). A total of 48 pilots and 39 healthy controls were included, and their emotional states were assessed using the Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS) and Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS). The dfALFF instability in the precuneus of the pilots was calculated and compared with that of the controls to explore the relationship between brain activity and emotional state.Results The results showed significantly higher dfALFF instability values in the precuneus of the pilots than in the control group. Additionally, instability in the precuneus was positively correlated with SDS and SAS scores.Conclusion These findings highlight the potential of precuneus dfALFF instability as a biomarker to assess pilots’ mental health. This study emphasizes the importance of incorporating neural activity indicators into pilot training and mental health assessments to enhance aviation safety and provide timely interventions for mental health issues.
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publishDate 2025-12-01
publisher Taylor & Francis Group
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series Brain-Apparatus Communication
spelling doaj-art-dbd6213efb7a45d58f14ac1ba018e3d22025-08-20T01:55:40ZengTaylor & Francis GroupBrain-Apparatus Communication2770-67102025-12-014110.1080/27706710.2025.2489388A dynamic fALFF approach to assess emotional states in pilots through precuneus activityXi Chen0Peiran Xu1Qinsong Song2Shicong Zhang3Qingbin Meng4Qi Chu5Donglin Huang6Institute of Flight Technology, Civil Aviation Flight University of China, Guanghan, ChinaInstitute of Flight Technology, Civil Aviation Flight University of China, Guanghan, ChinaAviation Health Department, Southwest Regional Administration of Civil Aviation Administration of China, Chengdu, ChinaInstitute of Flight Technology, Civil Aviation Flight University of China, Guanghan, ChinaInstitute of Flight Technology, Civil Aviation Flight University of China, Guanghan, ChinaInstitute of Flight Technology, Civil Aviation Flight University of China, Guanghan, ChinaHospital of Civil Aviation Flight University of China, Civil Aviation Flight University of China, Guanghan, ChinaBackground Mental health in pilots has become a critical factor affecting flight safety in the aviation industry. Pilots face high-pressure work environments and long working hours, which can lead to mental health issues, potentially affecting their performance, impacting aviation safety.Methods We investigated the neural mechanisms underlying the mental health of civil aviation pilots by analyzing the fractional Amplitude of Low Frequency Fluctuations (dfALFF) using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). A total of 48 pilots and 39 healthy controls were included, and their emotional states were assessed using the Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS) and Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS). The dfALFF instability in the precuneus of the pilots was calculated and compared with that of the controls to explore the relationship between brain activity and emotional state.Results The results showed significantly higher dfALFF instability values in the precuneus of the pilots than in the control group. Additionally, instability in the precuneus was positively correlated with SDS and SAS scores.Conclusion These findings highlight the potential of precuneus dfALFF instability as a biomarker to assess pilots’ mental health. This study emphasizes the importance of incorporating neural activity indicators into pilot training and mental health assessments to enhance aviation safety and provide timely interventions for mental health issues.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/27706710.2025.2489388Pilotfunctional magnetic resonance imagingprecuneusmental health
spellingShingle Xi Chen
Peiran Xu
Qinsong Song
Shicong Zhang
Qingbin Meng
Qi Chu
Donglin Huang
A dynamic fALFF approach to assess emotional states in pilots through precuneus activity
Brain-Apparatus Communication
Pilot
functional magnetic resonance imaging
precuneus
mental health
title A dynamic fALFF approach to assess emotional states in pilots through precuneus activity
title_full A dynamic fALFF approach to assess emotional states in pilots through precuneus activity
title_fullStr A dynamic fALFF approach to assess emotional states in pilots through precuneus activity
title_full_unstemmed A dynamic fALFF approach to assess emotional states in pilots through precuneus activity
title_short A dynamic fALFF approach to assess emotional states in pilots through precuneus activity
title_sort dynamic falff approach to assess emotional states in pilots through precuneus activity
topic Pilot
functional magnetic resonance imaging
precuneus
mental health
url https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/27706710.2025.2489388
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