Continuous Detection of Workload Overload: An fNIRS Approach

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Continuous Detection of Workload Overload: An fNIRS Approach

Horia A. Maior, Matthew Pike, Max L. Wilson, Sarah Sharples

Contemporary Ergonomics and Human Factors 2014 | 2014

Abstract

Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS) is a brain imaging technique that offers the potential to provide continuous, detailed insight into human mental workload, enabling an objective means of detecting overload conditions during complex tasks. When compared to other brain imaging techniques, fNIRS provides a non-invasive, portable, and reliable measure that lends itself to more ecologically valid settings. Our findings confirm a correlation between fNIRS data and the NASA-TLX subjective workload questionnaire. Our results provide novel insights into fNIRS and its relation to mental workload, and we propose the use of fNIRS as a continuous objective tool for detecting task overload situations.