Detecting Mental Workload in Surgical Teams Using a Wearable Single-Channel Electroencephalographic Device

Area of Science:

• Neurosurgery
• Surgical Education
• Cognitive Load Assessment

Background:

• Mental workload and overload are critical factors in surgical performance and training.
• Objective, non-intrusive measures are needed to quantify cognitive demands in surgical scenarios.
• Electroencephalography (EEG) offers potential for real-time monitoring of surgeons' cognitive states.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the sensitivity of prefrontal beta power, an EEG-based index, for quantifying surgeon mental workload.
• To assess the utility of this EEG index in real surgical simulation scenarios.
• To explore its application in designing surgical training programs.

Main Methods:

• A within-subjects design with factors including surgical role, procedure complexity (LESS vs. MPS), and suturing technique.
• Monitoring prefrontal EEG beta power using wearable devices in four surgical teams performing simulated surgeries on porcine models.
• Collecting concurrent performance and subjective workload data.

Main Results:

• Significantly higher prefrontal beta power was observed during less-invasive, single-site (LESS) surgery compared to multiport laparoscopic surgery (MPS), indicating increased mental demands.
• Objective performance metrics and perceived task complexity corroborated the EEG findings.
• Subjective ratings differentiated between surgical roles, while EEG did not in all instances.

Conclusions:

• Prefrontal beta power demonstrates potential as an objective, non-intrusive measure of mental overload in surgeons during simulated complex surgeries.
• EEG-based indices can aid in monitoring cognitive states, particularly for surgical residents in training.
• Further research can refine EEG applications for optimizing surgical education and performance assessment.