Estimating brain load from the EEG

Modern work requires cognitively demanding multitasking and the need for sustained vigilance, which may result in work-related stress and may increase the possibility of human error. Objective methods for estimating cognitive overload and mental fatigue of the brain on-line, during work performance,...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:TheScientificWorld 2009-01, Vol.9, p.639-651
Main Authors: Holm, Anu, Lukander, Kristian, Korpela, Jussi, Sallinen, Mikael, Müller, Kiti M I
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Analysis of Variance
Brain
Brain - physiology
Brain - physiopathology
Cognition
Electroencephalography
Evoked Potentials - physiology
Humans
Male
Physiological aspects
Psychomotor Performance - physiology
Reaction Time
Sleep - physiology
Sleep Deprivation - physiopathology
Task Performance and Analysis
Workload
Young Adult
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Summary:Modern work requires cognitively demanding multitasking and the need for sustained vigilance, which may result in work-related stress and may increase the possibility of human error. Objective methods for estimating cognitive overload and mental fatigue of the brain on-line, during work performance, are needed. We present a two-channel electroencephalography (EEG)-based index, theta Fz/alpha Pz ratio, potentially implementable into a compact wearable device. The index reacts to both acute external and cumulative internal load. The index increased with the number of tasks to be performed concurrently (p = 0.004) and with increased time awake, both after normal sleep (p = 0.002) and sleep restriction (p = 0.004). Moreover, the increase of the index was more pronounced in the afternoon after sleep restriction (p = 0.006). As a measure of brain state and its dynamics, the index can be considered equivalent to the heartbeat, an indicator of the cardiovascular state, thus inspiring the name "brainbeat".
ISSN:1537-744X
2356-6140
1537-744X
DOI:10.1100/tsw.2009.83