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A simple ERP method for quantitative analysis of cognitive workload in myoelectric prosthesis control and
Sean Deeny1, Caitlin Chicoine2, Levi Hargrove2
1Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, Center for Bionic Medicine, Chicago, IL, United States of America; Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, United States of America.
Plos One
|November 18, 2014
Summary
Event-related potentials (ERPs) effectively measure cognitive workload in human-machine interface (HMI) tasks. This study shows ERPs can assess cortical effort during virtual limb control, aiding HMI development.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Human-Computer Interaction
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Standardized outcome measures for cognitive workload in human-machine interface (HMI) development are lacking.
- Reducing cognitive workload and enhancing function are key goals in HMI technology advancement.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of event-related potentials (ERPs) as a quantitative measure of cortical effort in myoelectric control.
- To assess ERPs as an outcome tool for comparing different HMI control strategies.
Main Methods:
- Recorded electroencephalographic (EEG) activity from 18 healthy participants using direct control (DC) and pattern recognition control (PRC) for virtual limb tasks.
- Presented auditory probes during passive viewing, easy, and hard control conditions to elicit ERPs.
- Analyzed P200, P300, and late positive potential (LPP) components for task-difficulty effects and differences between control methods.
Main Results:
- Significant task-difficulty effects were observed in P200, P300, and LPP, validating ERPs for cognitive workload assessment in HMI.
- Higher LPP amplitude in PRC compared to DC during the hard condition indicated lower cognitive workload with PRC for complex movements.
- Participants performed faster with DC in easy conditions but slower in hard conditions compared to PRC.
Conclusions:
- ERPs, particularly the LPP, show promise as objective outcome measures for cognitive workload in HMI research.
- This approach can guide the development and evaluation of new assistive technologies like prosthetics and exoskeletons.
- ERPs can help create more intuitive and efficient HMI control systems.
