Prefrontal Cortex Activation Upon a Demanding Virtual Hand-Controlled Task: A New Frontier for Neuroergonomics
Marika Carrieri1, Andrea Petracca1, Stefania Lancia1
1Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila L'Aquila, Italy.
Frontiers in Human Neuroscience
|February 25, 2016
Summary
Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) effectively monitored brain activity in the prefrontal cortex during a virtual reality task. This neuroimaging tool shows promise for evaluating cognitive load in complex, simulated environments.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Science
- Human-Computer Interaction
Background:
- Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) is a non-invasive neuroimaging technique measuring hemodynamic responses in cortical microcirculation.
- Neuroergonomics investigates human performance and cognitive load in real-world or simulated tasks.
- Virtual reality (VR) offers a controlled environment for ecological studies of neuroergonomics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate prefrontal cortex activation using fNIRS during a demanding virtual reality hand-controlled task (HCT).
- To assess the suitability of fNIRS for monitoring cognitive responses in VR-based neuroergonomic research.
Main Methods:
- A 20-channel fNIRS system was used to monitor the dorsolateral/ventrolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC/VLPFC).
- Participants performed a VR hand-controlled task (HCT) using a LEAP motion controller to guide a virtual ball.
- Fifteen university students navigated a virtual route, with performance measured by distance traveled before failure.
Main Results:
- Bilateral VLPFC activation was observed in all subjects during the HCT, indicating cognitive engagement.
- No significant correlation was found between task performance (distance traveled) and the degree of cortical activation.
- fNIRS successfully detected hemodynamic changes in the prefrontal cortex during the VR task.
Conclusions:
- fNIRS is a suitable technology for objectively evaluating cortical hemodynamic changes in VR environments.
- The study highlights the potential of fNIRS in neuroergonomics for understanding cognitive mechanisms in demanding simulations.
- Future research can explore cognitive load and performance in expert vs. non-expert operators during simulated fatiguing activities.
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