Evaluation of Visual-Spatial Cognitive Function and Attention in Pilots of Air Force of Islamic Republic of Iran

Introduction: The pilot has a continuous flow of various activities that require navigation, attention, and navigation working memory. Fighter pilots are more vulnerable to cognitive impairment due to positive gravitational acceleration. This point indicates the importance of their cognitive assessments. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate visual-spatial cognitive function and attention in the pilots of the Airforce of the Islamic Republic of Iran and compare these factors between fighter pilots and other aviation personnel. Materials and Methods: An analytic observational cross-sectional study was performed on 49 fighter pilots (group 1) and other aviation personnel (group 2). A list of demographic variables and flight histories was recorded. Then Addenbrooke's Cognitive Examination-Revised, Rey– Osterrieth complex figure test, Forward and Backward Digit Span (FDS and BDS), and Brief Visual-spatial Memory Test-Revised were token. Data were analyzed by SPSS 18 (P <0.05). Results: Both groups were homogeneous regarding age, sex, education, military-grade, flight history, and complaints of cognitive symptoms. The scores of the tests were not statistically significant between the two groups. More than 10 years of flight history and equal or less than 10 years of flight history were respectively related to higher and lower scores in BDS and “recalling words”. The scores of FDS were higher in those with equal or less than 400 hours of flight history. The scores of “delayed recalling” were higher in people with more than 400 hours of flight history and those with more than 40 hours of flight history in the last 6 months. Discussion and conclusion: There was no difference in visual-spatial function and attention between fighter pilots and other aviation personnel, but flight history was related to the scores of some cognitive subtests.