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Measuring cognitive load in multitasking using mobile fNIRS
Katherine Boere1, Francesca Anderson1, Kent G Hecker2
1Theoretical and Applied Neuroscience Laboratory, The University of Victoria, Victoria, Canada.
Neuroimage. Reports
|June 26, 2025
Summary
Multitasking increases cognitive load, lowers performance, and raises errors. However, brain scans revealed cognitive disengagement, not increased prefrontal activation, suggesting a new way the brain manages overload.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Neuroscience
- Human Factors Engineering
Background:
- Cognitive load significantly impacts performance in high-stakes environments.
- Traditional research often uses simplified single-task studies, limiting real-world applicability.
- Understanding cognitive load during multitasking is crucial for optimizing performance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate cognitive load in a realistic multitasking environment using mobile functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS).
- To examine the relationship between multitasking, subjective cognitive load, performance, and prefrontal cortex (PFC) activation.
- To challenge the conventional association between cognitive load and PFC activation.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a mobile, two-channel fNIRS device to measure brain activity.
- Employed a within-subjects design with single-task and complex multitasking conditions.
- Recruited 31 undergraduate students to participate in simulated cognitive tasks.
Main Results:
- Subjective cognitive load, error rates, and performance decrements were higher in the multitasking condition.
- Contrary to hypotheses, prefrontal cortex activation did not increase during multitasking.
- Evidence suggests a "cognitive disengagement" effect as a coping mechanism for overload.
Conclusions:
- Mobile fNIRS is valuable for assessing cognitive load in ecologically valid settings.
- The study challenges the direct one-to-one correlation between cognitive load and PFC activation.
- Findings offer insights for improving performance strategies in demanding fields like aviation and healthcare.
