Early Alpha Reactivity is Associated with Long-Term Mental Fatigue Behavioral Impairments

The quantitative analysis of electroencephalogram (qEEG) is a suitable tool for mental fatigue (MF) assessment. Here, we evaluated the effects of MF on behavioral performance and alpha power spectral density (PSD) and the association between early alpha PSD reactivity and long-term behavioral MF impairments. Nineteen right-handed adults (21.21 ± 1.77 years old) had their EEG measured during five blocks of the visual oddball paradigm (~ 60 min). A paired t-test was used to compare first and last block values of cognitive performance and alpha PSD. The sample was divided into high (HAG) and low alpha group (LAG) by early alpha PSD median values. The behavioral performance of the HAG and LAG was compared across the blocks by a two-way ANOVA with repeated measures (groups and blocks). MF impairs general behavioral performance and increases alpha PSD. The HAG presents more behavioral impairment when compared to LAG across the task. Simple linear regression between early alpha PSD and behavioral performance across the task can predict 19 to 39% of variation in general behavior impairment by MF. In conclusion, MF induction impairs general behavioral and increases alpha PSD. The other finding was that higher alpha PSD reactivity is associated to higher long-term behavioral impairments of MF. This work contributes to existing knowledge of MF by providing evidence that the possibility of investigating early electrophysiological biomarkers to predict long-term MF impairments.