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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.

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|June 26, 2025
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

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.

Keywords:
Cognitive loadCognitive load theoryMobile fNIRSPrefrontal cortexSustained attentionTask-switching

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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.