Application of the Direct Discrete Fourier Transform Method to Improve the Assessment of Simple Sensorimotor Response in Nuclear Industry Workers during Their Psychophysiological Examination

Summary. Currently, to assess the functional state of the central nervous system (FS CNS), standards are used that have not been revised for 25 years and include 6 indicators: average reaction speed, standard deviation, minimum average reaction time, variation range, mode and its amplitude.

The aim of the study is to justify the need to use a new method – the direct discrete Fourier transform method for assessing the results of a simple sensorimotor reaction (SSMR) in nuclear industry workers during their psychophysiological examination (PPE).

Research materials and methods. Research materials – the results of a psychophysiological examination of 3488 employees of the State Scientific Center – Federal Medical Biophysical Center named after A.I. Burnazyan of the Federal Medical and Biological Agency of Russia, conducted in the laboratory of psychophysiological studies in the period from 01/19/2021 to 03/07/2024.

Research method – applying the direct discrete Fourier transform method to the SSMR data and, based on the obtained frequency spectrum (harmonics), calculating the “Frequency signal power density” indicator as an integral characteristic of the psychophysiological state of the subject at the time of the SSMR test.

Research results and their analysis. The new integral indicator Lg(Pωnorm) for assessing the level of CNS FS significantly differed between the groups of subjects with normal and elevated standard indicators of CNS FS assessment based on the results of PSMR. Lg(Pωnorm) most accurately characterizes the time indicators of PSMR, taking into account both their average values and their variability.

It was concluded that the use of Lg(Pωnorm) will facilitate a wide range of specialists in assessing the CNS FS and predicting the reliability of professional activity of workers in the nuclear industry.