Effect of temperature reduction of the prefrontal area on accuracy of visual sustained attention

Objectives. Detection of sensitive signs in many work environments with automated systems (aviation industry, flight safety tower, maritime industry, monitoring in the military industry, etc.) is essential and requires constant visual attention. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of forehead cooling on the accuracy of stable visual attention. Methods. This interventional study was performed on 34 male students. The sampling method was a randomized block design. Subjects were assessed by demographic questionnaire, Snellen chart, Spielberger state-trait anxiety inventory (STAI) and physiological and cognitive measurements. Results. Prefrontal cortex (PFC) cooling caused significant changes in sublingual temperature during four measurements in the intervention group. There were no significant changes in heart rate, diastolic blood pressure and saturation of peripheral oxygen (%SpO₂) between the two groups. The critical flicker frequency (CFF) as an indicator of cognitive fatigue showed that cognitive improvement after PFC cooling occurred following a reduction in cognitive fatigue. Conclusions. Considering the importance of choosing non-invasive methods to improve the operator's cognitive skills while performing cognitive tasks in the field of neuroergonomics, it can be concluded that PFC cooling is an effective and safe way to improve some cognitive skills such as visual attention.