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Wiediartini, Ciptomulyono U, Dewi RS. Evaluation of physiological responses to mental workload in n-back and arithmetic tasks. ERGONOMICS 2024; 67:1121-1133. [PMID: 37970874 DOI: 10.1080/00140139.2023.2284677] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
Working memory tasks, such as n-back and arithmetic tasks, are frequently used in studying mental workload. The present study investigated and compared the sensitivity of several physiological measures at three levels of difficulty of n-back and arithmetic tasks. The results showed significant differences in fixation duration and pupil diameter among three task difficulty levels for both n-back and arithmetic tasks. Pupil diameters increase with increasing mental workload, whereas fixation duration decreases. Blink duration and heart rate (HR) were significantly increased as task difficulty increased in the n-back task, while root mean square of successive differences (RMSSD) and standard deviation of R-R intervals (SDNN) were significantly decreased in the arithmetic task. On the other hand, blink rate and Galvanic Skin Response (GSR) were not sensitive enough to assess the differences in task difficulty for both tasks. All significant physiological measures yielded significant differences between low and high task difficulty except for SDNN.Practitioner summary: This study aimed to assess the sensitivity levels of several physiological measures of mental workload in n-back and arithmetic tasks. It showed that pupil diameter was the most sensitive in both tasks. This study also found that most physiological indices are sensitive to an extreme change in task difficulty levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wiediartini
- Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember, Surabaya, Indonesia
- Safety and Health Engineering Study Program, Politeknik Perkapalan Negeri Surabaya, Surabaya, Indonesia
| | - Udisubakti Ciptomulyono
- Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember, Surabaya, Indonesia
| | - Ratna Sari Dewi
- Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember, Surabaya, Indonesia
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Pütz S, Mertens A, Chuang L, Nitsch V. Physiological measures of operators' mental state in supervisory process control tasks: a scoping review. ERGONOMICS 2024; 67:801-830. [PMID: 38031407 DOI: 10.1080/00140139.2023.2289858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023]
Abstract
Physiological measures are often used to assess the mental state of human operators in supervisory process control tasks. However, the diversity of research approaches creates a heterogeneous landscape of empirical evidence. To map existing evidence and provide guidance to researchers and practitioners, this paper systematically reviews 109 empirical studies that report relationships between peripheral nervous system measures and mental state dimensions (e.g. mental workload, mental fatigue, stress, and vigilance) of interest. Ocular and electrocardiac measures were the most prominent measures across application fields. Most studies sought to validate such measures for reliable assessments of cognitive task demands and time on task, with measures of pupil size receiving the most empirical support. In comparison, less research examined the utility of physiological measures in predicting human task performance. This approach is discussed as an opportunity to focus on operators' individual response to cognitive task demands and to advance the state of research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian Pütz
- Institute of Industrial Engineering and Ergonomics, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Alexander Mertens
- Institute of Industrial Engineering and Ergonomics, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Lewis Chuang
- Professorship for Humans and Technology, Chemnitz University of Technology, Chemnitz, Germany
| | - Verena Nitsch
- Institute of Industrial Engineering and Ergonomics, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
- Fraunhofer Institute for Communication, Information Processing and Ergonomics FKIE, Aachen, Germany
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Scarpari JRS, Ribeiro MW, Deolindo CS, Aratanha MAA, de Andrade D, Forster CHQ, Figueira JMP, Corrêa FLS, Lacerda SS, Machado BS, Amaro Júnior E, Sato JR, Kozasa EH, Annes da Silva RG. Quantitative assessment of pilot-endured workloads during helicopter flying emergencies: an analysis of physiological parameters during an autorotation. Sci Rep 2021; 11:17734. [PMID: 34489481 PMCID: PMC8421440 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-96773-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2021] [Accepted: 07/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
The procedures to be performed after sudden engine failure of a single-engine helicopter impose high workload on pilots. The maneuver to regain aircraft control and safe landing is called autorotation. The safety limits to conduct this maneuver are based on the aircraft height versus speed diagram, which is also known as "Dead Man’s Curve”. Flight-test pilots often use subjective methods to assess the difficulty to conduct maneuvers in the vicinity of this curve. We carried out an extensive flight test campaign to verify the feasibility of establishing quantitative physiological parameters to better assess the workload endured by pilots undergoing those piloting conditions. Eleven pilots were fully instrumented with sensors and had their physiological reactions collected during autorotation maneuvers. Our analyses suggested that physiological measurements (heart rate and electrodermal activity) can be successfully recorded and useful to capture the most effort-demanding effects during the maneuvers. Additionally, the helicopter’s flight controls displacements were also recorded, as well as the pilots’ subjective responses evaluated by the Handling Qualities Rate scale. Our results revealed that the degree of cognitive workload was associated with the helicopter’s flight profile concerning the Height-Speed diagram and that the strain intensity showed a correlation with measurable physiological responses. Recording flight controls displacement and quantifying the pilot's subjective responses show themselves as natural effective candidates to evaluate the intensity of cognitive workload in such maneuvers.
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Affiliation(s)
- José Ricardo Silva Scarpari
- Instituto Tecnológico de Aeronáutica, São José dos Campos, 12228-900, Brazil.,Instituto de Pesquisas e Ensaio em Voo (IPEV), São José dos Campos, 12228-900, Brazil
| | | | | | | | - Donizeti de Andrade
- Instituto Tecnológico de Aeronáutica, São José dos Campos, 12228-900, Brazil
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Edson Amaro Júnior
- Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, Brain Institute, São Paulo, 01425-001, Brazil
| | - João Ricardo Sato
- Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, Brain Institute, São Paulo, 01425-001, Brazil.,Universidade Federal do ABC, São Bernardo do Campo, Brazil
| | - Elisa Harumi Kozasa
- Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, Brain Institute, São Paulo, 01425-001, Brazil.
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Respiratory Changes in Response to Cognitive Load: A Systematic Review. Neural Plast 2016; 2016:8146809. [PMID: 27403347 PMCID: PMC4923594 DOI: 10.1155/2016/8146809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2016] [Revised: 04/18/2016] [Accepted: 05/10/2016] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
When people focus attention or carry out a demanding task, their breathing changes. But which parameters of respiration vary exactly and can respiration reliably be used as an index of cognitive load? These questions are addressed in the present systematic review of empirical studies investigating respiratory behavior in response to cognitive load. Most reviewed studies were restricted to time and volume parameters while less established, yet meaningful parameters such as respiratory variability have rarely been investigated. The available results show that respiratory behavior generally reflects cognitive processing and that distinct parameters differ in sensitivity: While mentally demanding episodes are clearly marked by faster breathing and higher minute ventilation, respiratory amplitude appears to remain rather stable. The present findings further indicate that total variability in respiratory rate is not systematically affected by cognitive load whereas the correlated fraction decreases. In addition, we found that cognitive load may lead to overbreathing as indicated by decreased end-tidal CO2 but is also accompanied by elevated oxygen consumption and CO2 release. However, additional research is needed to validate the findings on respiratory variability and gas exchange measures. We conclude by outlining recommendations for future research to increase the current understanding of respiration under cognitive load.
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