Study on the effects of mental training on brain functional networks in operators during the glide phase of simulated carrier-based aircraft landing

Introduction: To enhance flight performance and safety margins during the glide phase of carrier-based aircraft landing, this study systematically investigated the effects of integrated mental training on trainees' brain functional networks from four dimensions: flight performance, electroencephalogram (EEG) power spectral density, sample entropy, and functional connectivity. Methods: The study recruited 46 participants, divided into a training group and a control group. All participants wore EEG equipment and performed dynamic carrier-based landing tasks based on a simulated carrier aircraft approach and landing platform. Results: The results showed that, after mental training, the training group exhibited significantly better flight performance than before training, exhibiting reduced landing trajectory deviation and shorter flight durations, whereas no significant changes were observed in the control group. EEG analysis revealed that the training group exhibited significantly increased power spectral density in the alpha band of the frontal, parietal, and occipital regions, the theta band of the central region, and the beta band of the occipital region following training, indicating enhanced attention and working memory. Sample entropy analysis revealed increased theta-band complexity in the central and parietal regions of the training group, reflecting heightened brain activity in these areas. Functional connectivity analysis revealed enhanced connectivity between delta and alpha frequency bands in the training group, primarily involving collaboration between the frontal lobe and other regions. Discussion: In summary, the mental training paradigm employed in this study significantly enhanced the stability, precision, and efficiency of participants' landing approach maneuvers. The underlying mechanism may be related to the optimization of brain functional networks. The research findings can provide reference for optimizing the carrier-based aircraft pilot landing training system.