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Stress reactivity and cognitive performance in a simulated firefighting emergency
Sarita J Robinson1, John Leach, P Jane Owen-Lynch
1School of Psychology, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, Lancashire, UK. SJRobinson1@uclan.ac.uk
Aviation, Space, and Environmental Medicine
|June 11, 2013
Summary
Firefighter training can cause cognitive impairments, like memory loss, after simulated emergencies. These effects may differ depending on how soon after the event testing occurs.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Emergency Medicine
- Cognitive Science
Background:
- Maladaptive behaviors during emergencies can decrease survival rates.
- This study investigated the impact of basic firefighter training on volunteers compared to a control group.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess stress reactivity and cognitive performance in new firefighters after emergency training.
- To understand how simulated emergencies affect cognitive functions crucial for survival.
Main Methods:
- Monitored stress reactivity (salivary cortisol, anxiety) across three training days.
- Measured cognitive performance (visual attention, declarative and working memory) post-training with immediate and delayed testing.
Main Results:
- Firefighters showed elevated cortisol levels post-simulated emergency compared to controls.
- Impaired visual declarative memory was observed immediately after the emergency simulation.
- Working memory deficits were noted in firefighters tested 20 minutes after the simulation.
Conclusions:
- Cognitive impairments following simulated emergencies may explain maladaptive responses in real fire situations.
- The type of cognitive impairment observed appears to be time-dependent after an emergency.
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