Features
Made specifically for researchers in DoD and academic institutions studying the cognitive performance effects of extreme environments.
CAAPES is a computer-based, multi-tasking, cognitive assessment designed to rapidly evaluate cognitive performance deficits under a myriad of physiological stressors common within aviation environments.
User Friendly Design
CAAPES is designed with a user-friendly interface that ensures a seamless experience for users.
Validated For Use
CAAPES has been continuously evaluated for test-retest reliability, sensitivity, and validity.
Visually Engaging
CAAPES is visually engaging with a video game-like environment mirroring real-world aviation challenges.
Adaptive Difficulty Levels
Difficulty levels are an important psychometric function for quantifying performance in a more meaningful way. For each task, the difficulty levels are automatically adjusted for the participant when in the practice mode.
Cognitive Workload Manipulation
CAAPES can be played with tracking alone, or with one, two, or all three subtasks. The two broad levels of workload (low and high) can be evaluated by administering CAAPES with just tracking, and in full CAAPES (tracking + subtasks).
Easy to Execute
Participants can be trained to use CAAPES in less than an hour and CAAPES will automatically identify each participant’s optimal difficulty level for stress testing.
CAAPES is a highly sensitive for detecting operational performance deficits in tactical aviation.
CAAPES is as effective at finding effects as cogScreen while demonstrating better test-retest reliability.
CAAPES demonstrates excellent reliability vs. other traditional metrics.
Improved Usability Through Guided Steps
The experimenter and participant are guided along the way with instructions provided on screen before the execution of a session for the configuration and execution of the tasks.
Get Session Results Instantly
During a session and after each session, a summary of the results and participants scores are available to be previewed. This gives researchers immediate access to insight on cognitive performance.
Easily Track Your Data
Data is saved following a consistent directory structure for each study. File naming provides enough context to accurately track the conditions under which the data was collected. Logs use descriptive variables and customizable condition names that help label the datasets and facilitate data analysis.
Integration into High-G Training
During high-G training, pilots typically experience a maximum of 9 Gs for no more than 15 seconds. This brief window presents a significant challenge for assessing cognitive and motor performance under extreme physiological stress. Traditional testing methods struggle to capture psychometrically meaningful data within such a short timeframe.
Developed for High-G Human Centrifuge Training
CAAPES Solution: Target Reset Feature
The target reset generates multiple independent tracking scores within an iteration by visibly resetting the tracking components during a session. Until now, tracking performance was not capable of providing independent tracking scores shorter than two minutes. The ability to provide more granularity in tracking performance of shorter intervals makes it more effective at detecting transient performance changes during exposure to stressors like G-Stress and hypoxia.
Minimal Equipment Requirements
Running CAAPES requires only a standard PC, making it easy to set up and use. The assessment functions similarly to a video game, where participants interact with various tasks on-screen using a joystick. For audio feedback and memory task prompts, any standard headphones or computer speakers can be used, ensuring flexibility in different testing environments.
Adaptive Joystick Controls
CAAPES uses a CAAPES allows the user flexibility for choosing either inverted or non-inverted controls. These controls are directly related to how the crosshairs will move on the screen depending on the direction in which the joystick is positioned.
New User Engagement Feature
Seek and Destroy
During ‘Seek and Destroy’, the primary task’s tracking circle will suddenly flash red and green, prompting the user to align the crosshair and pull the joystick trigger to “shoot” the target. The target size and speed will adjust based on the user’s performance in previous sessions.
Disclaimer
Seek and Destroy mode is intended for user engagement purposes only and has not been investigated for measuring psychometric performance. However, future work is considered to score and validate the seek and destroy mode as an additional metric of tracking performance.
Technical Support
IHMC provides dedicated technical support for CAAPES, ensuring that users have the assistance they need for installation, troubleshooting, and optimal performance.
Now available for Download
Get Started With CAAPES Today
Hosted by The Florida Institute for Human and Machine Cognition (IHMC)