In the present paper, we describe a model of neurovisceral integration in which a set of neural structures involved in cognitive, affective, and autonomic regulation are related to heart rate variability (HRV) and cognitive performance. We detail the pathways involved in the neural regulation of the cardiovascular system and provide pharmacological and neuroimaging data in support of the neural structures linking the central nervous system to HRV in humans. We review a number of studies from our group showing that individual differences in HRV are related to performance on tasks associated with executive function and prefrontal cortical activity. These studies include comparisons of executive- and nonexecutive-function tasks in healthy participants, in both threatening and nonthreatening conditions. In addition, we show that manipulating resting HRV levels is associated with changes in performance on executive-function tasks. We also examine the relationship between HRV and cognitive performance in ecologically valid situations using a police shooting simulation and a naval navigation simulation. Finally, we review our studies in anxiety patients, as well as studies examining psychopathy. These findings in total suggest an important relationship among cognitive performance, HRV, and prefrontal neural function that has important implications for both physical and mental health. Future studies are needed to determine exactly which executive functions are associated with individual differences in HRV in a wider range of situations and populations.

Heart rate variability, prefrontal neural function, and cognitive performance: the neurovisceral integration perspective on self-regulation, adaptation, and health.

Measuring neurophysiological signals in aircraft pilots and car drivers for the assessment of mental workload, fatigue and drowsiness.

In this paper, we provide the finalized definition of Cognitive Infocommunications (CogInfoCom). Following the definition, we briefly describe the scope and goals of CogInfoCom, and discuss the common interests between CogInfoCom and the various research disciplines which contribute to this new field in a synergistic way.

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Definition and synergies of cognitive infocommunications

Cognitive engineering needs viable constructs and principles to promote better understanding and prediction of human performance in complex systems. Three human cognition and performance constructs that have been the subjects of much attention in research and practice over the past three decades are situation awareness (SA), mental workload, and trust in automation. Recently, Dekker and Woods (2002) and Dekker and Hollnagel (2004; henceforth DWH) argued that these constructs represent "folk models" without strong empirical foundations and lacking scientific status. We counter this view by presenting a brief description of the large science base of empirical studies on these constructs. We show that the constructs can be operationalized using behavioral, physiological, and subjective measures, supplemented by computational modeling, but that the constructs are also distinct from human performance. DWH also caricatured as "abracadabra" a framework suggested by us to address the problem of the design of automated systems (Parasuraman, Sheridan, & Wickens, 2000). We point to several factual and conceptual errors in their description of our approach. Finally, we rebut DWH's view that SA, mental workload, and trust represent folk concepts that are not falsifiable. We conclude that SA, mental workload, and trust are viable constructs that are valuable in understanding and predicting human-system performance in complex systems.

Situation Awareness, Mental Workload, and Trust in Automation: Viable, Empirically Supported Cognitive Engineering Constructs

The aviation domain provides a better analogy for the ’’temporary’’ teams that are found in acute medical specialities than industrial or military teamwork research based on established teams. Crew resource management (CRM) training, which emphasises portable skills (for whatever crew a pilot is rostered to on a given flight), has been recognised to have potential application in medicine, especially for teams in the operating theatre, intensive care unit, and emergency room. Drawing on research from aviation psychology that produced the behavioural marker system NOTECHS for rating European pilots’ non-technical skills for teamwork on the flightdeck, this paper outlines the Anaesthetists Non-Technical Skills behavioural rating system for anaesthetists working in operating theatre teams. This taxonomy was used as the design basis for a training course, Crisis Avoidance Resource Management for Anaesthetists used to develop these skills, based in an operating theatre simulator. Further developments of this training programme for teams in emergency medicine are outlined.

https://qualitysafety.bmj.com/content/qhc/13/suppl_1/i80.full.pdf

Identifying and training non-technical skills for teams in acute medicine

Contents: Preface Part I: Introduction and Overview MR Endsley, Theoretical Underpinnings of Situation Awareness: A Critical Review RW Pew, The State of Situation Awareness Measurement Part II: Measurement Approaches G Klein, Analysis of Situation Awareness From Critical Incident Reports MD Rodgers, RH Mogford, B Strauch, Post Hoc Assessment of Situation Awareness in Air Traffic Control Incidents and Major Aircraft Accidents DG Jones, Subjective Measures of Situation Awareness HH Bell, DR Lyon, Using Observer Ratings to Assess Situation Awareness MR Endsley, Direct Measurement of Situation Awareness: Validity and Use of SAGAT GF Wilson, Strategies for Psychophysiological Assessment of Situation Awareness AR Pritchett, RJ Hansman, Use of Testable Responses for Performance-Based Measurement of Situation Awareness CD Wickens, The Trade-Off of Design for Routine and Unexpected Performance: Implications of Situation Awareness MA Vidulich, Testing the Sensitivity of Situation Awareness Metrics in Interface Evaluations Part III: Special Topics in Situation Awareness LJ Gugerty, WC Tirre, Individual Differences in Situation Awareness CA Bolstad, TM Hess, Situation Awareness and Aging W Shebilske, BP Goettl, DJ Garland, Situation Awareness, Automaticity, and Training C Prince, E Salas, Team Situation Awareness, Errors, and Crew Resource Management: Research Integration for Training Guidance MR Endsley, MM Robertson, Training for Situation Awareness in Individuals and Teams

Situation Awareness Analysis and Measurement

: Situation awareness is currently a highly active area of research that has spread from the aviation community to impact on a variety of operational applications. The objective of the conference was to bring together researchers to critically evaluate the state-of-the-art in situation awareness measurement, discuss the conceptual and methodological benefits and inadequacies of different measurement approaches for different purposes and in different settings, and generate constructive recommendations needed for improving situation awareness measurement practices. The conference was the first to explicitly focus on the need for a rigorous examination of measurement techniques being used and proposed for work in this field. The objectives of the conference were to (a) bring together professionals from a variety of disciplines to critically evaluate and discuss situation awareness research, (b) critically assess the state of situation awareness measurement, (c) discuss the conceptual and methodological benefits and inadequacies of different situation awareness measurement approaches for a variety of purposes in different types of settings, and (d) generate the constructive criticism necessary to push the state of knowledge forward by developing recommendations for improving situation awareness measurement practices. Partial contents of this report include the following topics: Performance Based Measurement Techniques; Subjective Measurement Techniques; Query Techniques; Physiological Measurement Techniques; Post-Hoc and Process Assessment Techniques; Air Traffic Contral and Situation Awareness; Aircraft Systems and Situation Awareness; Complex Systems and Situation Awareness; and Individual and Team Issues in Situation Awareness. Poster topics are also provided in this publication.

Experimental Analysis and Measurement of Situation Awareness

Analysis of Situation Awareness from Critical Incident Reports

While the majority of research on the topic of situation awareness has been focused on designing better systems, significant interest also exists in finding ways to improve SA through training. This paper describes an ongoing program that is directed at developing programs for training SA in general aviation pilots. Factors that have been found to pose problems for SA in pilots are reviewed and directions are established for creating programs for improving SA through training.

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Pilot Situation Awareness Training in General Aviation

: This report documents the methods and findings of the Infantry Situation Awareness (SA) project, conducted to develop a model and measures of SA for the unique Infantry operational environment The research team analyzed the complexities of the Infantryman's environment based on the tactical parameters of mission, enemy, terrain, troops, time available, and civilian considerations (METT-TC) at various echelons from the individual soldier to brigade level. The analysis addressed the key factors influencing SA during various stages of operations. Available models of SA were reviewed, and two were adapted and integrated to account for individual and team SA, respectively, in Infantry operations. In addition, the research team reviewed available measures, both direct and indirect, that can be employed to evaluate individual and team SA in different operational situations and at varying echelons. The advantages, disadvantages, and application considerations for these measures were identified. The report recommends future research requirements to address Infantry SA needs related to modernization initiatives and training development efforts. Finally, the report offers suggestions to senior Army leaders concerning the value of considering SA in the development of equipment, doctrine, and training programs.

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Daniel J. Garland

Papers

Situation Awareness Analysis and Measurement

Experimental Analysis and Measurement of Situation Awareness

Analysis of Situation Awareness from Critical Incident Reports

Pilot Situation Awareness Training in General Aviation

Modeling and Measuring Situation Awareness in the Infantry Operational Environment