ERP based measures of cognitive workload: A review

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Cognitive Psychology
• Human Factors Engineering

Background:

• Cognitive workload assessment is vital in various fields.
• Electroencephalography (EEG) offers a non-invasive method for measuring brain activity.
• Event-related potentials (ERPs) are specific EEG responses linked to cognitive processes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review electroencephalograph (EEG) approaches for cognitive workload evaluation.
• To focus on the measurement of event-related potentials (ERPs) within single task paradigms.
• To synthesize key concepts regarding ERPs in single task paradigms.

Main Methods:

• Systematic literature search for studies using EEG and ERPs.
• Inclusion criteria: single task paradigm, auditory stimulus, ERP measures, cognitive workload evaluation in healthy adults.
• Analysis of 19 articles meeting the inclusion criteria.

Main Results:

• A change in the amplitude of ERP components was observed with increased cognitive difficulty.
• The observed changes in ERP components were dependent on specific task and stimulus features.
• The selection of primary tasks significantly affects specific ERP components.

Conclusions:

• Task and stimulus selection are critical for accurate cognitive workload evaluation using single task paradigms.
• Understanding the influence of task selection on ERP components is important for interpreting results.
• EEG-based ERP measurement in single task paradigms provides valuable insights into cognitive workload.