Physiological stress responses and associated factors in immersive simulation training for aeromedical rescue personnel

Background　Traditional aeromedical physiological training equipment is outdated, the physiological challenges faced by aeromedical rescue personnel have not been adequately addressed. Objective　To explore the physiological stress responses of aeromedical rescue personnel using an immersive simulation training system based on VR, AR technologies and to analyze the associated factors.Methods　An immersive simulation training system for aeromedical rescue was used to conduct a 30 minute training session for 121 medical rescue personnel. Physiological indicators such as skin temperature, heart rate, and blood pressure were collected before and after training, the changes were compared. SC levels after training were used as the dependent variable to analyze the associated factors.Results　Among the 121 participants, there were 83(68.6%) males and 38(31.4%) females with a median age of 35 (IQR: 30, 36) years old. The differences in skin temperature M(IQR):30.2(29.5-31.2)℃ vs 32.1(31.5 32.6)℃ , heart rate M(IQR): 71(68-78) bpm vs 80(74-85) bpm, systolic blood pressure113(110-116) vs 123(120-126) mmHg, diastolic blood pressure 78 (73-81) mmHg vs 84 (79-87) mmHg , mean arterial pressure 90(86-93) mmHg vs 97(94-100) mmHg , ESR 470 (335-600) kΩ vs 260(180-385)kΩ and SC (9.42±2.10 nmol/L vs 14.48±3.98 nmol/L) before and after the training for aeromedical rescue personnel were statistically significant (all P<0.05). Post-training SC levels showed statistically significant differences across gender, age, BMI, only-child status, marital status, history of motion sickness, rescue scenarios and training posture (P < 0.05). Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that gender, age, BMI, history of motion sickness, rescue scenarios and training posture were the associated factors for SC levels after immersive training (F＝34.748, P＜0.001),which explained 69.2% of the total variation.Conclusion　The immersive simulation training system demonstrates high fidelity. Aeromedical rescue personnel exhibit physiological stress responses after immersive training, which are influenced by multiple factors. Corresponding intervention and management measures should be implemented to enhance the effectiveness of aeromedical physiological training.