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Investigating Mental Workload Changes in a Long Duration Supervisory Control Task
Journal article   Peer reviewed

Investigating Mental Workload Changes in a Long Duration Supervisory Control Task

Mark Boyer, M. L. Cummings, Lee B. Spence, Erin T. Solovey and Maria L Boyer
Interacting with computers, v 27(5), pp 512-520
01 Sep 2015

Abstract

Computer Science Computer Science, Cybernetics Engineering Ergonomics Science & Technology Technology
With improving automation in many critical domains, operators will be expected to handle long periods of low task load while monitoring a system, and possibly responding to emergent situations. Monitoring the psychophysiological state of the operator during low task load may detect maladapted attention states in order to predict performance and facilitate a more effective workload transition during critical periods. This research explored the question of detecting anomalous attention states during transitions to high workload following extended periods of boredom using a non-invasive neuroimaging technique called functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). Subjects at the point of lowest engagement and priming had a diminished hemodynamic response and performed worse on missile defense task, showing fNIRS may be useful for concurrent monitoring of the operator in such settings.

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24 citations in Scopus

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Collaboration types
Domestic collaboration
Web of Science research areas
Computer Science, Cybernetics
Ergonomics
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