Neuroadaptive Closed-Loop Training in Aviation: A Dual-Stage fNIRS/EEG Framework for Real-Time Workload Regulation and Diagnostic Remediation
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Nicolas Jean Lejeune

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Cognitive factors account for approximately 26% of civilian aviation incidents, yet simulator-based training programs operate without real-time measurement of trainee cognitive state. This article introduces a dual-stage neuroadaptive closed-loop training framework in which a within-session fNIRS/EEG workload controller and a session-level LSTM diagnostic classifier are coupled through a rolling per-subject workload envelope re-estimation procedure. The online stage fuses anterior prefrontal HbO₂ concentration with frontal theta power density to modulate scenario complexity continuously; the offline stage segments completed sessions by flight phase and identifies recurring performance deficiency patterns to construct individualized remediation paths for subsequent sessions. A 56-participant flight simulator study (four sessions, 24-hour inter-session intervals) showed a 33.3% reduction in sessions-to-competency relative to an iso-difficulty control, with single-trial workload classification accuracy of 76.4% under 16-channel low-motion conditions. The LSTM achieved an F1-score of 0.81 on phase-specific deficiency detection, outperforming a session-averaged logistic regression baseline by 53.5% on primary-phase identification rate.
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Authors
Nicolas Jean Lejeune

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References:
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