Quick coherence technique facilitating commercial pilots’ psychophysiological resilience to the impact of COVID-19

Figures & data

Figure 1. The Inner Balance device is a state of the art, ultra-low Bluetooth device with 125 hz sample rate measuring HRV parameters to optimise accurate HRV and QCT training.

The device of Inner Balance provides real-time visual feedbacks on QCT training which is presenting the pattern on participant’s heart-rate variability and coherence scores including starting time, average coherence and achievement.

Table 1. Means and standard deviations of pilot’s AWSA and PSS scores among three stages of QCT training.

	Session	N	Mean	SD
Ardell Wellness Self-Assessment score (AWSA)	Pre-training	18	18.7	14.8
	Post-training	18	27.9	11.1
	Two-months practice	18	25.6	15.6
Perceived Stress Scale score (PSS)	Pre-training	18	19.3	6.4
	Post-training	18	10.8	4.4
	Two-months practice	18	14.8	5.5

Table 2. Means and standard deviations of recorded sessions (N) of all participated pilots’ psychophysiological state between baseline and practicing QCT while off-duty (daily life) and on-duty (flight operations) for 2-months practice.

	Flight duty	Practice session	N	Mean	SD
Percentage of high coherence	Off-duty	Baseline	1535	35.28	23.50
		QCT	1529	81.14	23.20
	On-duty	Baseline	118	43.38	22.14
		QCT	107	81.07	22.36

Figure 2. The differences of AWSA and PSS scores among three different stages on QCT pre-training, post-training and 2-month self-regulated practicing.

Pilots subjective perceived stress and wellness assessments among three stages QCT training including pre-training, post-training and 2 months self-regulated practicing.

Figure 3. The interaction effect of self-regulated practicing QCT and flight duty on pilots’ psychophysiological coherence.

The differences on pilots’ psychophysiological coherence while self-regulated practicing QCT compared with baseline between off-duty and on-duty in the flight deck.

Table 3. Two-way ANOVA interactions, simple main effects, and main effects on pilots’ psychophysiological coherence between practicing QCT and flight duty.

2 × 2 two-way ANOVA		df Effect	df Error	F	p	ηp²
Percentage of high coherence	Interaction effect ‘practicing QCT × flight duty’	1	3285	6.46	.011	0.002
	Simple main effects ‘practicing QCT’ within
	Off-duty	1	3285	2973.88	.000	0.475
	On-duty	1	3285	147.08	.000	0.043
	Simple main effects ‘flight duty’ within
	Baseline	1	3285	13.28	.000	0.004
	QCT	1	3285	0.001	.974	0.000
	Main effect ‘practicing QCT’	1	3285	673.61	.000	0.170
	Main effect ‘flight duty’	1	3285	6.22	.013	0.002

Table 4. Summaries on pilots’ experiences shared while practicing QCT both on controlled reset in the flight deck and day-to-day life.

Practicing QCT related to flight operations

Practicing QCT related to day-to-day life

I definitely felt less stressed after practicing QCT in the flight deck It was not always practical practicing QCT in the flight deck, although I am happy to say that my anecdotal experience is that I am feeling more focussed and less fatigued Interesting to feel I’ve had a noticeable more chilled attitude towards both my annual simulator check. After practice QCT on control rest, I felt much better and no need for more controlled rest. Usually I would take more rest. One significant observation is that I had my annual medical check for my licence and my blood pressure was as low as it has ever been! Maybe the QCT breathing has helped. I’ve practiced QCT around my annual 2-day licence revalidation in the simulator. I’m not sure if it is of any interest however as it was my highest scored ever perhaps QCT played a part on my performance.

I found it very useful on a personal and professional level.  More and more sessions I am feeling a calmness. This was the day after COVID jab 2. I felt awful with a headache. After practicing QCT I felt much more alive and the headache almost completely went. I appreciated the science backing what is essentially a seemingly simple principle. Having practiced breathing and meditation techniques before, it was interesting to discover there is science behind the techniques that proves the resilience. Starting to feel the change already I'm feeling a greater sense of calm from each QCT session, quite addictive. Slept without interruption for 9 hours very unusual for me, practiced QCT before bed. More useful actually has been towards the normal family/kids challenges that come our way. It’s been invaluable to see the way the QCT can change mental/physical health just by positive thought and breathing.