Hematological and immunological effects of stress of air traffic controllers in northeastern Brazil

Abstract

BackgroundSeveral studies have shown that stress and emotional reactions can affect immune responses in animals and humans.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to evaluate hematological and immunological effects of stress on air traffic controllers.MethodsThirty air traffic controllers and 15 aeronautical information service operators were evaluated. The groups were divided as information service operators with 10 years or more of experience (AIS≥10) and with less than 10 years in the profession (AIS<10) and air traffic controllers with 10 years or more of experience (ATCo≥10) and with less than 10 years in the profession (ATCo<10). Blood samples were drawn at 8:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. The paired t-test was used to compare monocyte and nitric oxide concentrations and ANOVA was used for the other parameters.ResultsThe ATCo≥10 group presented a significantly lower phagocytosis rate of monocytes at 2:00 p.m. compared to 8:00 a.m. Moreover, the ATCo≥10 group presented lower hemoglobin, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, platelet and leukocyte levels, and increased cortisol concentrations at 8:00 a.m. compared to the other groups. Additionally, this group had lower phagocytosis rate of monocytes, and hemoglobin, platelet, leukocyte, basophils and nitric oxide levels at 2:00 p.m. compared to the other groups.ConclusionStress seems to greatly affect immune responses of air traffic controllers with more than ten years of experience.

Cognitive Impact and Psychophysiological Effects of Stress Using a Biomonitoring Platform

“…The impact of stress in ATCs health has been previously investigated. Accordingly, a study conducted with 30 ATCs and 15 aeronautical information service operators found that stress greatly affected the immune responses of ATCs with more than ten years of experience [ 18 ]. Additionally, stress can also interfere with performance [ 19 ], and in these professionals in particular, the human factor is considered to be a serious problem in ATC safety [ 13 ].…”

O papel do exercí­cio fí­sico como uma estratégia para a melhoria da segurança de voo: foco no controlador de tráfego aéreo

“…Ribas et al [11] demonstraram que os CTA com mais de 10 anos de atividade apresentaram sintomas de estresse com ênfase nos aspectos psicológicos. Respostas encontradas pelo mesmo grupo nas concentrações de cortisol, sintomas de ansiedade/depressão e na resposta imune embasam essa hipótese [12]. Dados similares sobre a prevalência dos sintomas de estresse foram apresentados por Freitas et al [13].…”

“…Os dados de Ribas et al [12] são corroborados pelos achados recentes de Sonati et al [1,6]. Nesses trabalhos os autores apontaram que os CTA de torres de controle apresentaram privação de sono independentemente do tipo de escala adotada, principalmente durante os turnos noturnos.…”

A Wearable System for the Stress Monitoring of Air Traffic Controllers During An Air Traffic Control Refresher Training and the Trier Social Stress Test: A Comparative Study

“…Considering ATCs high demands and role complexity, there is a growing concern of how these professionals can be affected by stress and fatigue. In fact, ATC is widely perceived as being a stressful occupation [6,7]. According to a review on job stress in ATCs, two important sources of stress can be identified: the responsibility for air traffic safety and the workload [8].…”