THE IMPACT OF JET LAG ON THE EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONS OF CABIN CREW

MAZUR, ALEKSANDRA; DANILUK, BEATA · 2026 · Crossref

DOI: 10.13174/pjambp.25.05.2026.01

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Summary

This study investigates the impact of jet lag on the executive functions of cabin crew, addressing a gap in aviation safety research regarding how circadian rhythm disruptions affect higher-order cognitive processes. While jet lag is known to cause general fatigue and sleep disturbances, its specific effects on planning, working memory, inhibitory control, and cognitive flexibility in flight attendants remain underexplored. The authors hypothesized that jet lag symptoms would lead to a significant decline in these executive functions, potentially compromising professional performance and safety. The research employed a quasi-experimental design with repeated measurements involving 20 cabin crew members from Polish Airlines LOT (12 women, 8 men, aged 20–35). Participants were assessed twice: once under baseline conditions and again 24 hours after completing a long-haul flight, with a three-month interval between stages to minimize practice effects. Executive functions were evaluated using the Tower of London Test (planning), Digit Span Tests (working memory), an experimental Stroop Color and Word Interference Test (inhibition and interference susceptibility), and the Trail Making Test (cognitive flexibility). Jet lag severity was quantified using a questionnaire based on ICSD-3 criteria, assessing symptoms such as insomnia and malaise. Statistical analyses included paired-sample t-tests and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests to compare performance across the two measurement stages. The results confirmed the hypothesis, demonstrating significant declines in executive function performance during jet lag. In the Tower of London Test, participants made significantly more moves ($p<0.001$, $d=1.3$) and took longer to complete tasks ($p=0.003$, $d=0.7$), indicating impaired planning abilities. Working memory deficits were evident in reduced performance on both forward ($p=0.028$, $d=0.46$) and backward ($p=0.004$, $rc=0.64$) Digit Span sequences. The Stroop test revealed increased completion times ($p=0.002$, $d=0.73$) and higher error rates ($p<0.001$, $d=0.72$), reflecting diminished inhibitory control and increased susceptibility to interference. Additionally, the Trail Making Test showed increased completion times for both Part A ($p=0.003$, $d=0.69$) and Part B ($p=0.003$, $d=0.7$), along with more errors, signaling reduced cognitive flexibility and attentional shifting capacity. The study concludes that jet lag significantly impairs critical cognitive functions necessary for the safe and effective performance of cabin crew duties. These findings underscore the need for strategies to mitigate jet lag effects, such as optimized scheduling or countermeasures, to enhance aviation safety. The authors emphasize that while jet lag is transient, its impact on executive functions poses a risk for professional errors, particularly when compounded by other stressors. The results contribute to the limited body of literature on this topic, highlighting the importance of monitoring cognitive health in aviation professionals exposed to frequent time zone changes.

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• cognitive capacity variation