Neuropsychophysiological markers of the combatants mental state in during choice reaction testing
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17721/1728-2217.2025.64.24-30Keywords:
choice reaction, electroencephalography, coherence, combatantsAbstract
Background. The study of neuropsychophysiological markers in combatants that reflect the impact of stress exposure, decision-making under critical conditions, and adaptive mechanisms affecting cognitive functioning is one of the most relevant scientific challenges today. The aim of this article is to examine choice reaction (CR) and associated indicators in order to develop effective diagnostic and rehabilitation methods for combatants.
Methods. The study included 37 combatants (aged 25–50 years, including 4 women) and 47 healthy volunteers (aged 19–39 years). All participants completed a test assessing core CR parameters according to the original author-based computer methods. Simultaneously, electroencephalography (EEG) was recorded, followed by coherence analysis. Also 22 combatants (aged 25–50 years, including 2 women) and 5 volunteers undergoing conscription screening (aged 19–26 years) were selected for this analysis.
Results. Central switching speed, derived from CR performance, was significantly higher in the control group (p = 0,011), suggesting slower interhemispheric information transfer (between the left and right hemisphere) among combatants and indicating reduced interhemispheric interaction efficiency. No significant differences in overall CR speed were observed between groups. EEG coherence analysis revealed increased right-hemispheric activity in combatants, whereas the control group exhibited bilateral pattern acivities with predominant left prefrontal and frontotemporal coherence. This pattern likely reflects enhanced processing of emotionally significant, novel and potentially threatening stimuli in combatants, contrasted with an analytical, verbal–linguistic strategy, lower cognitive load, and adaptation to a stable environment in controls. Local right- hemispheric neural networks in the frontocentral and occipitoparietal regions of the right hemisphere (F4-Cz-C4, O2-T6) were found exclusively in combatants, predominantly within the theta and alpha bands, suggesting a neurophysiological adaptation marker to combat-related stress.
Conclusions. Combatants achieved task performance efficiency through the engagement of a global delta-network that suppressed interfering sensory input and modulated activity within task-irrelevant networks. In contrast, the control group relied on left-hemispheric frontal and centrotemporal neural networks operating within the theta, alpha, and beta ranges to maintain cognitive control.
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