Decreased low-frequency brain effective connectivity in seafarers during voyages: a functional near-infrared spectroscopy study.

2020 
Objective During voyages, seafarers experience psychological problems that act to decrease operational safety. Psychological problems in seafarers can lead to changes in functional brain networks. This study investigated the low-frequency brain effective connectivity (EC) in seafarers during voyages by using the coupling strength (CS) of functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) imaging. Approach This study recruited fifteen seafarers (seafarer group) working on a container ship and 15 healthy age-matched controls (control group). EC was assessed using dynamic Bayesian inference (DBI) of the oxygenated hemoglobin concentration (delta HbO2) as measured through a 14-channel fNIRS system. These channels covered the left and right prefrontal cortices (LPFC/RPFC), left and right motor cortices (LMC/RMC), and left and right occipital lobes (LOL/ROL). Main results The EC levels of LPFC to RMC (F = 4.239, p = 0.049), LPFC to ROL (F = 5.385, p = 0.028), LOL to RPFC (F = 11.128, p = 0.002), ROL to RPFC (F = 10.714, p = 0.003) and LMC to ROL (F = 6.136, p = 0.02) were significantly lower in the seafarer group than in the control group. Correlation analysis revealed that the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) scores were positively correlated with the Systolic blood pressure (SBP) values, delta HbO2 values and EC levels, respectively. Meanwhile, the correlation analysis revealed the SBP values exhibited significantly positively correlated with CS values. Significance Decreased EC levels may be a marker of psychological sub-health in seafarers. The approach combines fNIRS and PHQ-9 scores provides a quantitative method for the assessment of mental health problems and further help with better designs.
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