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RESEARCH PRODUCT
Estimating brain load from the EEG.
Anu HolmJussi KorpelaKiti MüllerKristian LukanderMikael Sallinensubject
Malemedicine.medical_specialtyHeartbeatArticle SubjectMental fatiguemedia_common.quotation_subjectbrainlcsh:MedicineWorkloadElectroencephalographyAudiologylcsh:TechnologyGeneral Biochemistry Genetics and Molecular BiologycognitiveYoung Adultwork loadTask Performance and AnalysismedicineReaction TimeHuman multitaskingHumansEEGlcsh:ScienceEvoked PotentialsSimulationGeneral Environmental ScienceSleep restrictionmedia_commonAnalysis of Variancemedicine.diagnostic_testbusiness.industrylcsh:Tlcsh:RElectroencephalographyGeneral Medicineassessment of workloadBrain stateSleep Deprivationlcsh:QbusinessSleepCognitive loadPsychomotor PerformanceVigilance (psychology)Research Articledescription
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".
| year | journal | country | edition | language |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009-07-21 | TheScientificWorldJournal |