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Ülkü S, Getzmann S, Wascher E, Schneider D. Be prepared for interruptions: EEG correlates of anticipation when dealing with task interruptions and the role of aging. Sci Rep 2024; 14:5679. [PMID: 38454047 PMCID: PMC10920752 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-56400-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Dealing with task interruptions requires the flexible use of working memory and attentional control mechanisms, which are prone to age-related changes. We investigated effects of age on dealing with task interruptions and potential advantages of anticipating an interruption using EEG and a retrospective cueing (retro-cue) paradigm. Thirty-two young (18-30 years) and 28 older (55-70 years) participants performed a visual working memory task, where they had to report the orientation of a target following a retro-cue. Within blocks of 10 trials, they were always, never, or randomly interrupted with an arithmetic task before the onset of the retro-cue. The interruption-induced decline in primary task performance was more pronounced in older participants, while only these benefited from anticipation. The EEG analysis revealed reduced theta and alpha/beta response to the retro-cue following interruptions, especially for the older participants. In both groups, anticipated interruptions were associated with increased theta and alpha/beta power prior and during the interruption, and stronger beta suppression to the retro-cue. The results indicate that interruptions impede the refocusing of attention on the task-relevant representation of the primary task, especially in older people, while anticipation facilitates preparation for the interruption task and resumption of the primary task.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soner Ülkü
- Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors (IfADo), Ardeystraße 67, 44139, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Stephan Getzmann
- Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors (IfADo), Ardeystraße 67, 44139, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Edmund Wascher
- Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors (IfADo), Ardeystraße 67, 44139, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Daniel Schneider
- Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors (IfADo), Ardeystraße 67, 44139, Dortmund, Germany.
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2
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Springer SD, Okelberry HJ, Willett MP, Johnson HJ, Meehan CE, Schantell M, Embury CM, Rempe MP, Wilson TW. Age-related alterations in the oscillatory dynamics serving verbal working memory processing. Aging (Albany NY) 2023; 15:14574-14590. [PMID: 38154102 PMCID: PMC10781444 DOI: 10.18632/aging.205403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 12/30/2023]
Abstract
Working memory (WM) is a foundational cognitive function involving the temporary storage of information. Unfortunately, WM is also one of the most sensitive cognitive functions to the detrimental effects of aging. Expanding the field's understanding of age-related WM changes is critical to advancing the development of strategies to mitigate age-related WM declines. In the current study, we investigated the neural mechanisms serving WM function in seventy-eight healthy aging adults (range: 20.2-65.2 years) using magnetoencephalography (MEG) and a Sternberg WM task with letter stimuli. Neural activity during the different phases of the WM task (i.e., encoding, maintenance, and retrieval) were imaged using a time-frequency resolved beamformer and whole-brain statistics were performed. We found stronger increases in theta activity and stronger decreases in alpha and beta activity (i.e., more negative relative to baseline) as a function of healthy aging. Specifically, age-related increases in theta activity were detected during the encoding period in the primary visual and left prefrontal cortices. Additionally, alpha and beta oscillations were stronger (i.e., more negative) during both encoding and maintenance in the left prefrontal cortex in older individuals. Finally, alpha and beta oscillations during the retrieval phase were stronger (i.e., more negative) in older participants within the prefrontal, parietal, and temporal cortices. Together, these results indicate that healthy aging strongly modulates the neural oscillatory dynamics serving WM function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seth D. Springer
- Institute for Human Neuroscience, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Boys Town, NE 68010, USA
- College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Hannah J. Okelberry
- Institute for Human Neuroscience, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Boys Town, NE 68010, USA
- College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Madelyn P. Willett
- Institute for Human Neuroscience, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Boys Town, NE 68010, USA
- College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Hallie J. Johnson
- Institute for Human Neuroscience, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Boys Town, NE 68010, USA
- College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Chloe E. Meehan
- Institute for Human Neuroscience, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Boys Town, NE 68010, USA
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Mikki Schantell
- Institute for Human Neuroscience, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Boys Town, NE 68010, USA
- College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Christine M. Embury
- Institute for Human Neuroscience, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Boys Town, NE 68010, USA
| | - Maggie P. Rempe
- Institute for Human Neuroscience, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Boys Town, NE 68010, USA
- College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Tony W. Wilson
- Institute for Human Neuroscience, Boys Town National Research Hospital, Boys Town, NE 68010, USA
- College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Creighton University, Omaha, NE 68131, USA
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Getzmann S, Reiser JE, Gajewski PD, Schneider D, Karthaus M, Wascher E. Cognitive aging at work and in daily life-a narrative review on challenges due to age-related changes in central cognitive functions. Front Psychol 2023; 14:1232344. [PMID: 37621929 PMCID: PMC10445145 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1232344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 07/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Demographic change is leading to an increasing proportion of older employees in the labor market. At the same time, work activities are becoming more and more complex and require a high degree of flexibility, adaptability, and cognitive performance. Cognitive control mechanism, which is subject to age-related changes and is important in numerous everyday and work activities, plays a special role. Executive functions with its core functions updating, shifting, and inhibition comprises cognitive control mechanisms that serve to plan, coordinate, and achieve higher-level goals especially in inexperienced and conflicting actions. In this review, influences of age-related changes in cognitive control are demonstrated with reference to work and real-life activities, in which the selection of an information or response in the presence of competing but task-irrelevant stimuli or responses is particularly required. These activities comprise the understanding of spoken language under difficult listening conditions, dual-task walking, car driving in critical traffic situations, and coping with work interruptions. Mechanisms for compensating age-related limitations in cognitive control and their neurophysiological correlates are discussed with a focus on EEG measures. The examples illustrate how to access influences of age and cognitive control on and in everyday and work activities, focusing on its functional role for the work ability and well-being of older people.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephan Getzmann
- Leibniz Research Center for Working Environment and Human Factors at the Technical University of Dortmund (IfADo), Dortmund, Germany
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Wascher E, Reiser J, Rinkenauer G, Larrá M, Dreger FA, Schneider D, Karthaus M, Getzmann S, Gutberlet M, Arnau S. Neuroergonomics on the Go: An Evaluation of the Potential of Mobile EEG for Workplace Assessment and Design. HUMAN FACTORS 2023; 65:86-106. [PMID: 33861182 PMCID: PMC9846382 DOI: 10.1177/00187208211007707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2021] [Accepted: 03/13/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We demonstrate and discuss the use of mobile electroencephalogram (EEG) for neuroergonomics. Both technical state of the art as well as measures and cognitive concepts are systematically addressed. BACKGROUND Modern work is increasingly characterized by information processing. Therefore, the examination of mental states, mental load, or cognitive processing during work is becoming increasingly important for ergonomics. RESULTS Mobile EEG allows to measure mental states and processes under real live conditions. It can be used for various research questions in cognitive neuroergonomics. Besides measures in the frequency domain that have a long tradition in the investigation of mental fatigue, task load, and task engagement, new approaches-like blink-evoked potentials-render event-related analyses of the EEG possible also during unrestricted behavior. CONCLUSION Mobile EEG has become a valuable tool for evaluating mental states and mental processes on a highly objective level during work. The main advantage of this technique is that working environments don't have to be changed while systematically measuring brain functions at work. Moreover, the workflow is unaffected by such neuroergonomic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edmund Wascher
- IfADo – Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and
Human Factors, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Julian Reiser
- IfADo – Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and
Human Factors, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Gerhard Rinkenauer
- IfADo – Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and
Human Factors, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Mauro Larrá
- IfADo – Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and
Human Factors, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Felix A. Dreger
- IfADo – Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and
Human Factors, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Daniel Schneider
- IfADo – Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and
Human Factors, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Melanie Karthaus
- IfADo – Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and
Human Factors, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Stephan Getzmann
- IfADo – Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and
Human Factors, Dortmund, Germany
| | | | - Stefan Arnau
- IfADo – Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and
Human Factors, Dortmund, Germany
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Alves J, Lima TM, Gaspar PD. The sociodemographic challenge in human-centred production systems – a systematic literature review. THEORETICAL ISSUES IN ERGONOMICS SCIENCE 2022. [DOI: 10.1080/1463922x.2022.2148178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Joel Alves
- C-MAST - Center for Mechanical and Aerospace Science and Technologies, Calçada Fonte do Lameiro, Covilhã, Portugal
| | - Tânia M. Lima
- C-MAST - Center for Mechanical and Aerospace Science and Technologies, Calçada Fonte do Lameiro, Covilhã, Portugal
| | - Pedro D. Gaspar
- C-MAST - Center for Mechanical and Aerospace Science and Technologies, Calçada Fonte do Lameiro, Covilhã, Portugal
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Task prioritization modulates alpha, theta and beta EEG dynamics reflecting proactive cognitive control. Sci Rep 2022; 12:15072. [PMID: 36064572 PMCID: PMC9445103 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-19158-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2022] [Accepted: 08/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Most neuroscientific studies investigating mental effort apply unspecific effort allocation paradigms. In contrast, the present EEG study targets specific effort allocation during task prioritization. Twenty-eight participants performed a cued number classification task during the retention interval of a working memory task including retrospective cues. One of two possible number classifications was done per trial. Each trial started with a cue indicating which of the two tasks would be more important in the upcoming trial. Subjects were told to engage in both tasks, but to concentrate on the important one. Feedback given at the end of each trial was calculated based on task performance, with scores obtained from the relevant task being tripled. Participants performed significantly better in either task when it was important compared to when not. Task prioritization modulates theta, alpha and beta oscillations, predominantly during task preparation. Multivariate pattern analysis revealed that the exact type of the two possible number classifications was decodable, however, decoding accuracy did not depend on task importance. Hemispheric alpha power asymmetries indicating attentional orienting between working memory representations also did not depend on task importance. The findings suggest that task prioritization primarily affects proactive cognitive control on a superordinate level.
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Rösner M, Zickerick B, Sabo M, Schneider D. Aging impairs primary task resumption and attentional control processes following interruptions. Behav Brain Res 2022; 430:113932. [PMID: 35597477 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2022.113932] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2021] [Revised: 04/04/2022] [Accepted: 05/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
Attentional selection of working memory content is impaired after an interruption. Here we investigate the neural correlates underlying attentional selection within working memory. We focus especially on how older and younger adults differ in attentional selection processes during primary task resumption. Participants performed a working memory task, while being frequently interrupted with either a cognitively low- or high-demanding arithmetic task. Afterwards, a retrospective cue (retro-cue) indicated the working memory content required for later report. The detrimental effect of the interruption was evident in both age groups, but while younger adults were more strongly affected by a high- than by a low-demanding interruption, the performance deficit appeared independently of the cognitive requirements of the interruption task in older adults. A similar pattern was found regarding frontal-posterior connectivity in the theta frequency range, suggesting that aging decreases the ability to selectively maintain relevant information within working memory. The power of mid-frontal theta oscillations (~4-9Hz) featured a comparable effect of interruptions in both age groups. However, posterior alpha/beta power (~8-30Hz) following the retro-cue was more diminished by a preceding interruption in older adults. These results suggest an age-related deficit in the attentional selection and maintenance of primary task information following an interruption that appeared independent from the cognitive requirements of the interrupting task.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marlene Rösner
- Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors, Dortmund, Germany.
| | - Bianca Zickerick
- Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Melinda Sabo
- Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Daniel Schneider
- Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors, Dortmund, Germany
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Baham C, Kalgotra P, Nasirpouri Shadbad F, Sharda R. Generational differences in handling technology interruptions: a qualitative study. EUR J INFORM SYST 2022. [DOI: 10.1080/0960085x.2022.2070557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Corey Baham
- Management Science and Information Systems, Oklahoma State University Stillwater, Stillwater, Oklahoma, United States
| | - Pankush Kalgotra
- Department of Systems and Technology, Harbert College of Business, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama, United States
| | | | - Ramesh Sharda
- Management Science and Information Systems, Oklahoma State University Stillwater, Stillwater, Oklahoma, United States
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Hasegawa K, Kimura M, Takeda Y. Pedal Misapplication: Interruption Effects and Age-Related Differences. HUMAN FACTORS 2021; 63:1342-1351. [PMID: 32613865 PMCID: PMC8593282 DOI: 10.1177/0018720820936122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2019] [Accepted: 05/28/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study aimed to investigate whether pedal misapplication occurs more frequently when a pedal task is interrupted for a longer period of time. BACKGROUND Misapplication of a vehicle's brake and accelerator pedals can cause severe traffic accidents, especially for older drivers. The present study provides empirical support for the hypothesis that pedal misapplication occurs more frequently when drivers are interrupted for longer periods of time and is demonstrated more prominently in older drivers. METHODS Forty younger participants and 40 older participants were asked to perform a pedal choice response task (stepping on either a brake or accelerator pedal) that had been preceded by an interruption task (i.e., touch number task). RESULTS Pedal misapplications occurred more frequently when the pedal choice response task was preceded by the touch number task for a longer interval (about 120 s) than for a shorter interval (about 30 s). Furthermore, the time-related increase in pedal misapplications was greater for older participants. CONCLUSION Pedal misapplication increases when the pedal task is interrupted for a longer time period, especially for older adults. APPLICATION The findings contribute to our understanding of when and where pedal misapplications tend to occur.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kunihiro Hasegawa
- National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Motohiro Kimura
- National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Yuji Takeda
- National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Tsukuba, Japan
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Liang CW. Inhibitory attentional control under cognitive load in social anxiety: An investigation using a novel dual-task paradigm. Behav Res Ther 2021; 144:103925. [PMID: 34242838 DOI: 10.1016/j.brat.2021.103925] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2020] [Revised: 04/07/2021] [Accepted: 06/29/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Research suggests that socially anxious (SA) individuals exhibit poorer attentional inhibition than their non-anxious (NA) counterparts. Attentional control theory presumes that cognitive load worsens the adverse effects of anxiety on attentional inhibition. However, previous studies examined the effects of cognitive load on attentional inhibition in social anxiety yielded inconsistent results. In this study, cognitive load was manipulated by adding a 1-back (low cognitive load) and 2-back task (high cognitive load) to the emotional antisaccade task, investigating the effects of cognitive load on attentional inhibition in the presence of social evaluative stimuli in SA and NA individuals. Results revealed that cognitive load improved the efficiency but impeded the effectiveness of inhibitory attentional control in SA participants. Under high cognitive load, SA participants made more erroneous saccades for threat-related than nonthreat-related faces while NA participants showed no differences in error rates among different face types. Moreover, regardless of cognitive levels, SA participants had shorter saccade latencies for angry faces than happy and neutral faces. NA participants did not show differences in saccade latencies among different face types. Implications of these findings for understanding the role that cognitive load plays in the processes of attentional control and interventions for social anxiety are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chi-Wen Liang
- Department of Psychology, Chung Yuan Christian University, No. 200, Zhongbei Rd., Zhongli Dist., Taoyuan City, 320314, Taiwan, ROC.
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Zickerick B, Kobald SO, Thönes S, Küper K, Wascher E, Schneider D. Don't stop me now: Hampered retrieval of action plans following interruptions. Psychophysiology 2020; 58:e13725. [PMID: 33226663 DOI: 10.1111/psyp.13725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2020] [Revised: 10/09/2020] [Accepted: 10/29/2020] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
How can we retrieve action plans in working memory (WM) after being distracted or interrupted? The present EEG study investigated this question using a WM task in which a random sequence of single numbers (1-4 and 6-9) was presented. In a given trial, participants had to decide whether the number presented in the preceding trial was odd or even. Additionally, interfering stimuli were randomly presented in 25% of all trials, requiring the participants to either ignore a colored number (distraction) or respond to it (interruption) while maintaining the previously formed action plan in WM. Our results revealed a detrimental impact of interruptions on WM performance in trials after interrupting stimuli compared to trials without a preceding interference. This was reflected in decreased task accuracy and reduced stimulus- and response-locked P3b amplitudes potentially indicating a hampered reactivation of stimulus-response links. Moreover, decreased contralateral mu suppression prior to a given response highlighted an impaired response preparation following interruptions. Distractions, on the other hand, did not negatively affect task performance but were followed by faster responses in subsequent trials compared to trials without prior interference. This result pattern was supported by stronger contralateral mu suppression indicating a facilitated response preparation. Overall, these results suggest that action representations in WM are resistant to distractions but do suffer from interruptions that disrupt or interfere with their implementation. We thus propose that the possibility of adequately preparing for an upcoming response is essential for behavioral guidance in the presence of external interference.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bianca Zickerick
- Department of Ergonomics, Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors, Dortmund, Germany
| | - S Oliver Kobald
- Department of Ergonomics, Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Sven Thönes
- Experimental Psychology, Department of Psychology, Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Kristina Küper
- Bundeswehr Institute for Preventive Medicine, Koblenz, Germany
| | - Edmund Wascher
- Department of Ergonomics, Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Daniel Schneider
- Department of Ergonomics, Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors, Dortmund, Germany
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