Fatigue-Related Effects in the Process of Task Interruption on Working Memory.

Area of Science:

• Cognitive Neuroscience
• Psychology

Background:

• Interruption typically impairs cognitive performance, particularly working memory (WM).
• The neural underpinnings of interruption effects and the influence of fatigue remain underexplored.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the behavioral and electrophysiological effects of task interruption on WM performance.
• To examine the moderating role of fatigue state on interruption-induced cognitive changes.
• To elucidate the neural mechanisms underlying interruption and fatigue interactions using electroencephalography (EEG).

Main Methods:

• Participants completed a spatial 2-back task under conditions of math task interruption, suspension interruption, and no interruption.
• EEG data were recorded to analyze brain activity, including alpha, theta, P200, and P300 components.
• Fatigue levels were manipulated to assess their moderating effect on performance and neural responses.

Main Results:

• Interruption increased alpha and P300 activity, suggesting enhanced inhibitory control.
• P200 amplitude changes indicated altered attentional reallocation upon task resumption.
• Increased theta power reflected higher demands on information maintenance during interruption.
• A post-interruption speeding-up effect was observed, but fatigue significantly impaired performance and amplified negative interruption effects.

Conclusions:

• Interruption impacts WM through modulation of inhibitory control, attentional reallocation, and information maintenance.
• Fatigue exacerbates the detrimental effects of interruption on cognitive performance.
• Findings enhance understanding of cognitive dynamics during interruptions and their interaction with fatigue, supporting the Memory for Goals (MFG) theory.