Diurnal effects of illuminance on performance: Exploring the moderating role of cognitive domain and task difficulty

2021 ◽  
pp. 147715352199064
Author(s):  
T Ru ◽  
KCHJ Smolders ◽  
Q Chen ◽  
G Zhou ◽  
YAW de Kort
Keyword(s):  
Working Memory ◽  
Sustained Attention ◽  
Response Inhibition ◽  
Task Difficulty ◽  
Cognitive Task ◽  
Negative Mood ◽  
Cognitive Domain ◽  
Conflict Monitoring ◽  
Subjective Sleepiness ◽  
And Task

Literature has occasionally reported acute effects of office illuminance on cognitive performance during daytime. The current study was conducted to systematically investigate whether the type of task and level of task difficulty moderate the effect of daytime illuminance on cognitive functioning. Thirty healthy participants were assigned to high (∼1036 lux at eye level; melanopic EDI = 904 lux) vs. low (∼108 lux at eye level, melanopic EDI = 87 lux) illuminance (at 6500 K) during working hours, in which participants were tested on both easy and difficult versions of tasks probing sustained attention, response inhibition, conflict monitoring and working memory. Subjective sleepiness and mood were also measured. Results revealed that exposure to high vs. low illuminance significantly improved speed on the response inhibition task, and accuracy and speed on the working memory tasks. Moreover, when effects arose, these were moderated by task difficulty, consistently showing more pronounced effects for easy than for difficult trials. Notably, subjective sleepiness and negative mood remained unaffected by illuminance, and no statistically significant effects emerged for sustained attention and conflict monitoring. This study demonstrates that the diurnal cognitive effects of illuminance may be moderated by both types of cognitive task and task difficulty.

Effects of Working Memory Capacity, Task Switching, and Task Difficulty on Multitasking Performance

2016 ◽  
Vol 60 (1) ◽  
pp. 502-506 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shijing Liu ◽  
Amy Wadeson ◽  
Na Young Kim ◽  
Chang S. Nam
Keyword(s):  
Working Memory ◽  
Task Switching ◽  
Task Difficulty ◽  
Working Memory Capacity ◽  
Memory Capacity ◽  
Trail Making ◽  
Human Operators ◽  
Switching Task ◽  
Different Levels ◽  
And Task

Multitasking requires human operators to handle the demands of multiple tasks through task switching at the same time and this ability is required in many jobs. Previous studies showed that different levels of working memory capacity (WMC) and task switching abilities can lead to differences on multitasking performance. With increased complexity of tasks, maintaining task performance is challenging. This study sought to find the relations of WMC, task switching, task difficulty, and multitasking performance. Multi-Attribute Task Battery II (MATB-II) was employed in this study as a platform to assess multitasking. Automated OSPAN and Trail Making Tasks (TMT) were used to assess WMC and the task switching ability, respectively. Results indicated that there were significant effects of these three parameters on multitasking performance. Other dimensions of multitasking performance will be addressed in future studies.

Preliminary Findings for the Effectiveness of Whole Green Coffee Powder (WGCP) versus Placebo in a Double-blind Withdrawal Design Study with Young Adults on Three Tasks of Executive Function

2014 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
pp. CMPsy.S13117
Author(s):  
Michael J. Manos ◽  
Craig A. Sidol ◽  
Alicia Monaco ◽  
Thomas W. Frazier
Keyword(s):  
Working Memory ◽  
Side Effects ◽  
Sustained Attention ◽  
Response Inhibition ◽  
Low Dose ◽  
Secondary Outcome ◽  
Green Coffee ◽  
Treatment Conditions ◽  
Coffee Powder ◽  
Withdrawal Design

Objective This study compared relative effects of whole green coffee powder (WGCP) on cognitive functioning in neurotypical adults under three treatment conditions: placebo (A), low-dose 889.9 mg WGCP (B1), and moderate-dose 1334.4 mg WGCP (B2). Method Fourteen adults aged 18–25 years, acted as their own controls in three treatment conditions within a seven-session withdrawal design. Participants completed the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) at each session. The Side Effects Behavior Monitoring Scale (SEBMS), used to assess stimulant effects in individuals with ADHD, was a secondary outcome measure to assess adverse events associated with caffeine intake delivered by capsule. Self-report of qualitative effects was collected. Results Results indicated that moderate doses of WGCP significantly improved sustained attention (vs placebo and low dose) and working memory (vs low dose only) but had no effect on response inhibition. Low doses of WGCP showed decreased sustained attention. Fifty percent of subjects reported positive subjective improvement in well-being. No side effects were reported. Conclusion Commercially available WGCP (ie, sold as GoBean®) in moderate doses improved executive functioning for sustained attention and working memory but had no effect on response inhibition. Implications for individuals with attention difficulties are discussed.

Effects of Stress and Task Difficulty on Working Memory and Cortical Networking

2017 ◽  
Vol 124 (6) ◽  
pp. 1194-1210 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yujin Kim ◽  
Jihwan Woo ◽  
Minjung Woo
Keyword(s):  
Working Memory ◽  
Task Difficulty ◽  
Stress Condition ◽  
High Stress ◽  
Stress Conditions ◽  
Memory Encoding ◽  
Easy Task ◽  
Memory Accuracy ◽  
High Stress Condition ◽  
And Task

This study investigated interactive effects of stress and task difficulty on working memory and cortico-cortical communication during memory encoding. Thirty-eight adolescent participants (mean age of 15.7 ± 1.5 years) completed easy and hard working memory tasks under low- and high-stress conditions. We analyzed the accuracy and reaction time (RT) of working memory performance and inter- and intrahemispheric electroencephalogram coherences during memory encoding. Working memory accuracy was higher, and RT shorter, in the easy versus the hard task. RT was shorter under the high-stress (TENS) versus low-stress (no-TENS) condition, while there was no difference in memory accuracy between the two stress conditions. For electroencephalogram coherence, we found higher interhemispheric coherence in all bands but only at frontal electrode sites in the easy versus the hard task. On the other hand, intrahemispheric coherence was higher in the left hemisphere in the easy (versus hard task) and higher in the right hemisphere (with one exception) in the hard (versus easy task). Inter- and intracoherences were higher in the low- versus high-stress condition. Significant interactions between task difficulty and stress condition were observed in coherences of the beta frequency band. The difference in coherence between low- and high-stress conditions was greater in the hard compared with the easy task, with lower coherence under the high-stress condition relative to the low-stress condition. Stress seemed to cause a decrease in cortical network communications between memory-relevant cortical areas as task difficulty increased.

Task Performance and Electromyopotential as Functions of Task Difficulty and EMG Feedback

1986 ◽  
Vol 62 (2) ◽  
pp. 555-562
Author(s):  
Roy E. Connally ◽  
John N. Dieter ◽  
Kevin Uliano
Keyword(s):  
Task Performance ◽  
Task Difficulty ◽  
Cognitive Task ◽  
Training Session ◽  
Memory Task ◽  
Iconic Memory ◽  
Biofeedback Training ◽  
Audio Feedback ◽  
Cognitive Task Performance ◽  
And Task

The dearth of empirical research in the application of biofeedback is discussed. Exp. 1 assessed relationships among biofeedback EMG training, EMG levels, cognitive task performance, and task difficulty. 72 subjects (male or female college students) were administered 1 trial on an iconic memory task with either EMG audio feedback, sham EMG audio feedback, or no feedback. Three levels of task difficulty were used. One 20-min. training session significantly lowered EMG responses, and task performance was inversely related to task difficulty. No relationship between EMG level and task performance was observed. Exp. 2 investigated the effect of increased EMG responses on cognitive task performance for one level of difficulty. One biofeedback training session did not significantly increase frontalis EMG, and there was no relationship between increased EMG and task performance.

scholarly journals Large-scale assessment of 7-11-year-olds’ cognitive and sensorimotor function within the Born in Bradford longitudinal birth cohort study

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. 53
Author(s):  
Liam JB Hill ◽  
Katy A Shire ◽  
Richard J Allen ◽  
Kirsty Crossley ◽  
Megan L Wood ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Working Memory ◽  
Processing Speed ◽  
Task Difficulty ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Birth Cohort Study ◽  
Age Group ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Born In Bradford ◽  
Group Variation ◽  
And Task

Background: Cognitive ability and sensorimotor function are crucial aspects of children’s development, and are associated with physical and mental health outcomes and educational attainment. The current project forms part of the Born in Bradford (BiB) longitudinal birth-cohort study, and involved measuring sensorimotor and cognitive function in over 15,000 children aged 7-10 years. This paper describes the large-scale data collection process and presents initial analyses of the data, including the relationship between cognition/sensorimotor ability and age and task difficulty, and associations between tasks. Method: Data collection was completed in 86 schools between May 2016 and July 2019. Children were tested at school, individually, using a tablet computer with a digital stylus or finger touch for input. Assessments comprised a battery of three sensorimotor tasks (Tracking, Aiming, & Steering) and five cognitive tasks (three Working Memory tasks, Inhibition, and Processing Speed), which took approximately 40 minutes. Results: Performance improved with increasing age and decreasing task difficulty, for each task. Performance on all three sensorimotor tasks was correlated, as was performance on the three working memory tasks. In addition, performance on a composite working memory score correlated with performance on both inhibition and processing speed. Interestingly, within age-group variation was much larger than between age-group variation. Conclusions: The current project collected computerised measures of a range of cognitive and sensorimotor functions at 7-10 years of age in over 15,000 children. Performance varied as expected by age and task difficulty, and showed the predicted correlations between related tasks. Large within-age group variation highlights the need to consider the profile of individual children in studying cognitive and sensorimotor development. These data can be linked to the wider BiB dataset including measures of physical and mental health, biomarkers and genome-wide data, socio-demographic information, and routine data from local health and education services.

scholarly journals Effects of methylphenidate on executive functioning in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder across the lifespan: a meta-regression analysis

2016 ◽  
Vol 46 (9) ◽  
pp. 1791-1807 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. G. H. Tamminga ◽  
L. Reneman ◽  
H. M. Huizenga ◽  
H. M. Geurts
Keyword(s):  
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ◽  
Working Memory ◽  
Sustained Attention ◽  
Response Inhibition ◽  
Attention Deficit ◽  
Animal Studies ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Hyperactivity Disorder ◽  
Age Related

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in childhood and adulthood is often treated with the psychostimulant methylphenidate (MPH). However, it is unknown whether cognitive effects of MPH depend on age in individuals with ADHD, while animal studies have suggested age-related effects. In this meta-analysis, we first determined the effects of MPH on response inhibition, working memory and sustained attention, but our main goal was to examine whether these effects are moderated by age. A systematic literature search using PubMed, PsycINFO, Web of Science and MEDLINE for double-blind, placebo-controlled studies with MPH resulted in 25 studies on response inhibition (n = 775), 13 studies on working memory (n = 559) and 29 studies on sustained attention (n = 956) (mean age range 4.8–50.1 years). The effects of MPH on response inhibition [effect size (ES) = 0.40, p < 0.0001, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.22–0.58], working memory (ES = 0.24, p = 0.053, 95% CI 0.00–0.48) and sustained attention (ES = 0.42, p < 0.0001, 95% CI 26–0.59) were small to moderate. No linear or quadratic age-dependencies were observed, indicating that effects of MPH on executive functions are independent of age in children and adults with ADHD. However, adolescent studies are lacking and needed to conclude a lack of an age-dependency across the lifespan.

scholarly journals Neural Inhibition Task Elicits Age-Associated Changes in Prefrontal Cerebral Oxygenation

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 365-365
Author(s):  
Talia Salzman ◽  
Tabassum Rahman ◽  
Nadia Polskaia ◽  
Gabrielle St-Amant ◽  
Diana Tobón Vallejo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Working Memory ◽  
Gait Speed ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Task Difficulty ◽  
Right Hemisphere ◽  
Cerebral Oxygenation ◽  
Response Times ◽  
Cognitive Task ◽  
Difficulty Level ◽  
Neural Inhibition

Abstract Certain cognitive tasks, such as those involving inhibition, can influence an older adult’s dual-tasking ability more than others. This study aimed to manipulate cognitive task difficulty to evaluate age-associated differences in brain activity and behaviour during walking. Nineteen younger (M=21.3, SD=3.9) and 20 older (M=71.8, SD=6.4) adults completed four cognitive-auditory tasks: simple reaction time (SRT; processing speed), Go-no-Go (GNG; neural inhibition), N-back (NBK; working memory) and Double number sequence (DNS; working memory) with or without self-paced walking. Trials took place under single cognitive (SC), single motor (SM) and dual-task (walking with a cognitive task; DT) conditions. Throughout each condition, cerebral oxygenation changes (ΔHbO2) in the prefrontal cortex were acquired using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). Behavioural measures including response time (ms), accuracy (%) and gait speed (m/s) were also calculated. Repeated measures ANOVAs revealed that OAs exhibited greater ΔHbO2 than YAs in the left hemisphere during the GNG inhibition task (p = 0.04). Activation in the right hemisphere also increased compared to the left during DNS DT (p = 0.05). Response times increased with increasing task difficulty and YAs were faster than OAs during NBK SC (p = 0.09). Neural findings revealed age-associated changes in prefrontal activation at the GNG inhibition difficulty level. Behavioural results indicated poorer performance with increasing task difficulty including slower response times in OAs. Moreover, gait speed and accuracy only decreased within task and difficulty. Therefore, understanding the neural and behavioural changes across task difficulty may help monitor cognitive decline and distinguish normal aging from disease states.

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