Differentiating pilot distress and eustress via multimodal physiology: towards enhanced human-system integration in intelligent cockpits.

Ensuring safety in next-generation intelligent cockpits demands accurate assessment of pilot states, particularly distinguishing between eustress and distress. Traditional stress monitoring lacks this nuance and struggles across varying flight tasks. This study proposes a multimodal neuro-cardiac fr...

Descripción completa

Detalles Bibliográficos
Publicado en:Ergonomics Vol. 69; no. 10; pp. 2079 - 2102
Autores principales: Zhao, Yanzeng, Zhu, Keyong, Guo, Wei, Xu, Haixin, Zhang, Jun, Zou, Jiaying, Li, Runhao, Wang, Lijing
Formato: pictorial research tables/charts Journal Article
Publicado: Taylor & Francis Ltd Oct2026
Acceso en línea:Ver este registro en EBSCOhost
fields @attributes:
  recordID: 1
pdfLink:
plink: https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=ccm&AN=196828148&site=ehost-live
header:
  @attributes:
    shortDbName: ccm
    uiTerm: 196828148
    longDbName: CINAHL Complete
    uiTag: AN
  controlInfo:
    bkinfo:
    dissinfo:
    jinfo:
      jid:
        00140139
        ERO
      jtl: Ergonomics
      issn: 00140139
      maglogo: Y
    pubinfo:
      dt: Oct2026
      vid: 69
      iid: 10
      pid: 377
      pub: Taylor & Francis Ltd
      place: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
    artinfo:
      ui:
        196828148
        187591329
        196828148
        196828148
        10.1080/00140139.2025.2553131
        196828148
      ppf: 2079
      ppct: 23
      formats:
      tig:
        atl: Differentiating pilot distress and eustress via multimodal physiology: towards enhanced human-system integration in intelligent cockpits.
      aug:
        au:
          Zhao, Yanzeng
          Zhu, Keyong
          Guo, Wei
          Xu, Haixin
          Zhang, Jun
          Zou, Jiaying
          Li, Runhao
          Wang, Lijing
        affil: International Innovation Institute, Beihang University, Hangzhou, China
      sug:
        subj:
          Pilots
          Stress, Psychological Diagnosis
          Equipment Design
          Occupational Safety
          Ergonomics
          User-Computer Interface
          Electrocardiography
          Spectroscopy, Near-Infrared
          Human
          Biological Markers Analysis
          Simulations
          Machine Learning Algorithms
          Validity
          Task Performance and Analysis
          Monitoring, Physiologic
      ab: Ensuring safety in next-generation intelligent cockpits demands accurate assessment of pilot states, particularly distinguishing between eustress and distress. Traditional stress monitoring lacks this nuance and struggles across varying flight tasks. This study proposes a multimodal neuro-cardiac framework combining functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) and electrocardiography (ECG) to differentiate eustress and distress across tasks. Physiological data were collected from 35 participants under simulated flight missions inducing both stress types. Eleven features showing significant differentiation were identified and used to train classification models with machine learning algorithms. The model achieved 83.04% accuracy across tasks, and up to 90.83% within single tasks. These findings demonstrate the robustness of fNIRS-ECG-based monitoring in pilot stress classification. The proposed method offers objective biomarkers critical for adaptive intelligent cockpit systems, contributing directly to flight safety and human-machine interaction optimisation. PRACTITIONER SUMMARY: This study is the first to distinguish eustress and distress in pilots using multimodal physiological signals (fNIRS and ECG). Machine learning models achieved up to 90.83% accuracy, offering objective indicators of pilot stress states, supporting the development of adaptive intelligent cockpit systems, promoting optimised human-machine interaction and stress-aware decision-making. HIGHLIGHTS: Differentiates distress and eustress, not just stress, aligning with aviation safety. Uses low-interference methods, proving practical feasibility for real-world use. Applies a cross-task approach, enhancing scenario generalisation. Combines ergonomic application with insights into stress physiology.
      pubtype: Academic Journal
      doctype:
        pictorial
        research
        tables/charts
        Journal Article
      ougenre: Article
    language: English
    refInfo:
    holdings:
      @attributes:
        islocal: N