UDC

612.821.1

DOI

10.17238/issn2542-1298.2020.8.1.5

Authors

Anzhelika E. Bubnova* ORCID: 0000-0003-2873-2871
*Volgograd State Medical University (Volgograd, Russian Federation)
Corresponding author: Anzhelika Bubnova, address: pl. Pavshykh Bortsov 1, Volgograd, 400131, Russian Federation; e-mail: BubnovaAE@yandex.ru

Abstract

Extreme conditions and high level of work stress in emergencies contribute to sustained fatigue among operators of the Russian Ministry for Emergency Situations (Emercom). The research aimed to identify subjective criteria and objective electroencephalographic (EEG) patterns indicating the development of a critical level of fatigue among Emercom employees with varying degrees of success in operator activity. The study involved 252 healthy Emercom operators (males and females) aged 24–47 years. Subjective assessment of fatigue involved the Russian-language versions of the Fatigue Assessment Scale (FAS) and the Checklist Individual Strength-8 (CIS-8). Objective assessment of fatigue was performed using the Smile sensorimotor program and brain bioelectric activity recording. According to the data of both scales, operators were divided into two groups of 50 subjects each: those with and those without fatigue. Sensorimotor tracking showed that efficiency of operator activity was statistically significantly lower among operators with fatigue, especially in the hardest tests. Baseline EEG analysis revealed a statistically significant decrease in the power of alpha- and an increase in the power of theta-rhythm, as well as predominance of low frequencies at photic stimulation in operators with fatigue. Significant correlations were found between the quality of operator activity and EEG parameters in the groups under study. These parameters correlate with the level of fatigue according to subjective assessments and can be used in functional correction of operators using biofeedback principles.
For citation: Bubnova A.E. Integrated Use of Neurophysiological and Subjective Criteria of a Developing Critical Level of Fatigue for Physiological Support of Emergency Operators. Journal of Medical and Biological Research, 2020, vol. 8, no. 1, pp. 5–13. DOI: 10.17238/issn2542-1298.2020.8.1.5

Keywords

emergency operators, occupational fatigue, operator activity, brain bioelectric activity, sensorimotor tracking, activation response, photic stimulation

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