Performance decrement at an audiovisual checking task.

The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of environmental conditions on visual workload. The environmental variables used were temperature, studied at levels of 45°F., WBGT, and 95°F., WBGT; and noise, studied at 83 dBA intermittent noise and 93 dBA continuous noise. Workload was defined as the amount of attention demanded from an operator as measured by performance decrement on a secondary task while performing a primary and secondary task simultaneously. The secondary task was reading random numbers, and the primary task was reading word lists. Significant differences (p<.05) were found between the control condition and all experimental conditions. The low temperature and high temperature-continuous noise conditions were significantly different from the other conditions. Noise and temperature were found to significantly increase workload (p<05).

Download Full-text

Validation of Discrete and Regression-Based Performance and Cognitive Fatigability Normative Data for the Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test in Multiple Sclerosis

Frontiers in Neuroscience ◽

10.3389/fnins.2021.730817 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 15 ◽

Author(s):

Caitlin S. Walker ◽

Jason A. Berard ◽

Lisa A. S. Walker

Keyword(s):

Multiple Sclerosis ◽

Normative Data ◽

Cognitive Effort ◽

Similar Proportion ◽

Healthy Controls ◽

Performance Decrement ◽

Impaired Performance ◽

Objective Performance ◽

Serial Addition ◽

Over Time

Cognitive fatigability is an objective performance decrement that occurs over time during a task requiring sustained cognitive effort. Although cognitive fatigability is a common and debilitating symptom in multiple sclerosis (MS), there is currently no standard for its quantification. The objective of this study was to validate the Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test (PASAT) discrete and regression-based normative data for quantifying performance and cognitive fatigability in an Ontario-based sample of individuals with MS. Healthy controls and individuals with MS completed the 3″ and 2″ versions of the PASAT. PASAT performance was measured with total correct, dyad, and percent dyad scores. Cognitive fatigability scores were calculated by comparing performance on the first half (or third) of the task to the last half (or third). The results revealed that the 3″ PASAT was sufficient to detect impaired performance and cognitive fatigability in individuals with MS given the increased difficulty of the 2″ version. In addition, using halves or thirds for calculating cognitive fatigability scores were equally effective methods for detecting impairment. Finally, both the discrete and regression-based norms classified a similar proportion of individuals with MS as having impaired performance and cognitive fatigability. These newly validated discrete and regression-based PASAT norms provide a new tool for clinicians to document statistically significant cognitive fatigability in their patients.

Download Full-text

Effects of Alcohol on Peripheral Vision as a Function of Attention

Human Factors The Journal of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society ◽

10.1177/001872087401600209 ◽

1974 ◽

Vol 16 (2) ◽

pp. 174-180 ◽

Cited By ~ 77

Author(s):

Herbert Moskowitz ◽

Satanand Sharma

Keyword(s):

Information Processing ◽

Steady State ◽

Peripheral Vision ◽

Performance Decrement ◽

Fixation Light ◽

Peripheral Sensory ◽

Alcohol Treatments ◽

Sensory Mechanisms ◽

Central Fixation

Twelve males were tested under a control and two alcohol treatments in a perimeter apparatus used for testing peripheral vision. They were required to fixate either on a steady-state central fixation light and detect peripheral lights, or to count blinks produced by the cessations of the fixation light and to detect peripheral lights. Alcohol produced an impairment of peripheral vision only under conditions where the central fixation light blinked and thus required information processing. No performance decrement occurred when the central light did not blink. The results suggest that alcohol interferes with central information processing rather than peripheral sensory mechanisms.

Download Full-text