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Prefrontal Cortex Brain Activation During Texting and Walking: A Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy Feasibility
Tal Krasovsky1,2, Rawda Madi1, Eyal Fruchter3,4
1Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Social Welfare and Health Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa,Israel.
Motor Control
|May 16, 2022
Summary
Texting while walking increases prefrontal cortex (PFC) activation and impairs gait, similar to cognitive tasks. This highlights the significant executive control demands of this common behavior.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Human-Computer Interaction
- Cognitive Psychology
Background:
- Texting while walking is a prevalent yet hazardous activity.
- The neural underpinnings of this dual-task behavior remain largely unexplored.
- Understanding brain activation during texting and walking is crucial for safety research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate prefrontal cortex (PFC) activation patterns during single- and dual-task texting and walking.
- To compare the neural and behavioral effects of texting while walking with a cognitive load task (serial-7s subtraction).
- To elucidate the role of executive functions in the complex task of texting while walking.
Main Methods:
- Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) was used to measure PFC activation in 13 healthy adults.
- Participants performed single- and dual-task conditions: walking, texting, and serial-7s subtraction.
- Behavioral performance was assessed using inertial sensors and a mobile application for gait and texting metrics.
Main Results:
- Head lowering during texting correlated with increased PFC activation.
- Engaging in texting while walking led to heightened PFC activation.
- Gait performance was significantly reduced during texting and serial-7s subtraction tasks, indicating similar cognitive demands.
Conclusions:
- The findings underscore the substantial executive control resources required for texting while walking.
- Prefrontal cortex activation patterns provide insights into the cognitive load associated with this behavior.
- Executive control plays a pivotal role in managing the complexities of texting while walking, impacting both cognitive and motor performance.
