Flexibility in Resource Allocation and the Performance of Time-Sharing Tasks

The extent and nature of the ability to control the allocation of mental resources between the components of a dual task was investigated in three separate experiments. Using a variable priority (demand) methodology it was found that subjects could manipulate their performance level, however their ability to meet specific demand levels was limited. Training subjects under single or dual-task conditions using a wide range of task demand significantly improved dual task performance and degree of control over resource allocation as compared to performance following practice under a narrow range of task demands or under single task fixed demand conditions. Single task performance among all groups improved to the same degree. It was concluded that training subjects under a wide range of task demands increases the range of performance levels over which mental resources can be flexibly allocated for those tasks and improves time sharing performance. Implications for the design of training for complex task performance are discussed.

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Localization of Executive Functions in Dual-Task Performance with fMRI

Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience ◽

10.1162/089892902760807195 ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 14 (8) ◽

pp. 1184-1199 ◽

Cited By ~ 209

Author(s):

André J. Szameitat ◽

Torsten Schubert ◽

Karsten Müller ◽

D. Yves von Cramon

Keyword(s):

Executive Functions ◽

Task Performance ◽

Dual Task ◽

Task Difficulty ◽

Task Condition ◽

Subtraction Method ◽

Dual Task Condition ◽

Single Task ◽

Dual Task Performance ◽

Task Conditions

We report a study that investigated the neuroanatomical correlates of executive functions in dual-task performance with functional magnetic resonance imaging. Participants performed an auditory and a visual three-choice reaction task either separately as single tasks or concurrently as dual tasks. In the dual-task condition, two stimuli were presented in rapid succession to ensure interference between the component tasks (psychological refractory period). The behavioral data showed considerable performance decrements in the dual-task compared to the single-task condition. Dual-task-related activation was detected with two different neuroimaging methods. First, we determined dual-task-related activation according to the method of cognitive subtraction. For that purpose, activation in the dual-task was compared directly with activation in the single-task conditions. This analysis revealed that cortical areas along the inferior frontal sulcus (IFS), the middle frontal gyrus (MFG), and the intraparietal sulcus (IPS) are involved in dual-task performance. The results of the subtraction method were validated with the method of parametric manipulation. For this purpose, a second dual-task condition was introduced, where the difficulty of the dual-task coordination was increased compared with the first dual-task condition. As expected, behavioral dual-task performance decreased with increased dual-task difficulty. Furthermore, the increased dual-task difficulty led to an increase of activation in those cortical regions that proved to be dual-task related with the subtraction method, that is, the IFS, the MFG, and the IPS. These results support the conclusion that dorsolateral prefrontal and superior parietal cortices are involved in the coordination of concurrent and interfering task processing.

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Determinants of Performance Improvement in Training under Time-Sharing Conditions

Proceedings of the Human Factors Society Annual Meeting ◽

10.1177/154193127501900207 ◽

1975 ◽

Vol 19 (2) ◽

pp. 179-185 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Daniel Gopher ◽

Robert A. North

Keyword(s):

Dual Task ◽

Reaction Time Task ◽

Task Demands ◽

Tracking Task ◽

Time Sharing ◽

Single Task ◽

Performance Improvements ◽

Dual Task Performance ◽

Specific Skill ◽

Task Training

A one-dimensional compensatory tracking task and a digit-processing, reaction-time task were combined to assess three aspects of training under time–sharing conditions: (1) Manipulation of desired performance levels for dual-task performance comparing performance under single-task demands vs. adjustment to dual-task demands; (2) training under equal and unequal task priorities in time-sharings; (3) reveated sequence of single-dual task presentations. Six groups of 10 subjects participated in the experiment. Larger performance improvements under time–sharing conditions were observed when performance demands were based on dual–task performances than on single-task performances. Training under unequal task priorities revealed that tracking was more sensitive to priority differences than the digit-processing task. Whereas tracking performances improved during single-task training, digit-processing improved only in the time-sharing conditions, suggesting that improvement on the tracking task is in the specific skill of tracking, while digit-processing improvement results from improved time-sharing ability.

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Balance performance maintained during dual-task condition with a cognitive task across menstrual cycle

Neurology ◽

10.1212/01.wnl.0000550632.95899.61 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 91 (23 Supplement 1) ◽

pp. S6.1-S6 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Meng Ni ◽

Joseph Hazzard ◽

Pamela Smith

Keyword(s):

Menstrual Cycle ◽

Task Performance ◽

Dual Task ◽

Cognitive Task ◽

Task Condition ◽

Balance Performance ◽

Dual Task Condition ◽

Single Task ◽

Dual Task Performance ◽

Task Conditions

BackgroundDual-task, performing a balance task and a cognitive task simultaneously, has been used as sport-related concussion assessment tool. However, the effect of dual task on balance performance remains controversial. Also, the fluctuation of hormone across menstrual cycle on balance and dual-task performance has not been fully examined.ObjectiveTo examine (1) the effect of dual task on balance performance, (2) the interaction of female sex hormonal level, balance, and dual-task performance.DesignA cohort study.SettingA laboratory of concussion research and services.ParticipantsA group of 49 healthy female college-aged students (age = 21.6 ± 2.0 years).Main outcome measuresThe Stability Evaluation Test (SET) protocol, Balance error scoring system (BESS) test and postural sway velocity (deg/sec) by using VSR SPORT force plate. Three auditory mathematics questions were given for each condition of the SET test. Two single-task conditions were provided, including balance only and math only. Balance test and math questions were given simultaneously during the dual-task condition.ResultsThere was no significantly statistically difference in BESS or sway velocity between single and dual task. However, the performance of math calculation is better in dual-task comparing to the single task (math only), with an 8%–12% higher rate of accuracy, but it didn't reach a statistical significance. The rate of accuracy during the dual task didn't vary among menstrual phases.ConclusionsBalance performance was maintained under dual-task conditions and fluctuation of female sex hormones across the menstrual cycle may not affect working memory and executive function. These findings are potentially clinically applicable to detecting balance deficits and cognitive alterations in female concussed individuals. Future studies are needed to investigate the underlying mechanism of balance maintenance and attention dividend under dual-task conditions.

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Effects of Concurrent Manual Task Performance on Connected Speech Acoustics in Individuals With Parkinson Disease

Journal of Speech Language and Hearing Research ◽

10.1044/2019_jslhr-s-msc18-18-0190 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 62 (7) ◽

pp. 2099-2117 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Jason A. Whitfield ◽

Zoe Kriegel ◽

Adam M. Fullenkamp ◽

Daryush D. Mehta

Keyword(s):

Task Performance ◽

Speech Production ◽

Dual Task ◽

Motor Task ◽

Task Condition ◽

Connected Speech ◽

Speech Acoustics ◽

Single Task ◽

Manual Task ◽

Task Conditions

Purpose Prior investigations suggest that simultaneous performance of more than 1 motor-oriented task may exacerbate speech motor deficits in individuals with Parkinson disease (PD). The purpose of the current investigation was to examine the extent to which performing a low-demand manual task affected the connected speech in individuals with and without PD. Method Individuals with PD and neurologically healthy controls performed speech tasks (reading and extemporaneous speech tasks) and an oscillatory manual task (a counterclockwise circle-drawing task) in isolation (single-task condition) and concurrently (dual-task condition). Results Relative to speech task performance, no changes in speech acoustics were observed for either group when the low-demand motor task was performed with the concurrent reading tasks. Speakers with PD exhibited a significant decrease in pause duration between the single-task (speech only) and dual-task conditions for the extemporaneous speech task, whereas control participants did not exhibit changes in any speech production variable between the single- and dual-task conditions. Conclusions Overall, there were little to no changes in speech production when a low-demand oscillatory motor task was performed with concurrent reading. For the extemporaneous task, however, individuals with PD exhibited significant changes when the speech and manual tasks were performed concurrently, a pattern that was not observed for control speakers. Supplemental Material https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.8637008

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The impact of predictability on dual-task performance and implications for resource-sharing accounts

Cognitive Research Principles and Implications ◽

10.1186/s41235-020-00267-w ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 6 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Laura Broeker ◽

Harald Ewolds ◽

Rita F. de Oliveira ◽

Stefan Künzell ◽

Markus Raab

Keyword(s):

Resource Allocation ◽

Task Performance ◽

Dual Task ◽

Resource Sharing ◽

Visual Information ◽

Allocation Policy ◽

Capacity Sharing ◽

Dual Task Performance ◽

Sound Sequence ◽

The Impact

AbstractThe aim of this study was to examine the impact of predictability on dual-task performance by systematically manipulating predictability in either one of two tasks, as well as between tasks. According to capacity-sharing accounts of multitasking, assuming a general pool of resources two tasks can draw upon, predictability should reduce the need for resources and allow more resources to be used by the other task. However, it is currently not well understood what drives resource-allocation policy in dual tasks and which resource allocation policies participants pursue. We used a continuous tracking task together with an audiomotor task and manipulated advance visual information about the tracking path in the first experiment and a sound sequence in the second experiments (2a/b). Results show that performance predominantly improved in the predictable task but not in the unpredictable task, suggesting that participants did not invest more resources into the unpredictable task. One possible explanation was that the re-investment of resources into another task requires some relationship between the tasks. Therefore, in the third experiment, we covaried the two tasks by having sounds 250 ms before turning points in the tracking curve. This enabled participants to improve performance in both tasks, suggesting that resources were shared better between tasks.

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The Effect of Processing Code, Response Modality and Task Difficulty on Dual Task Performance and Subjective Workload in a Manual System

Proceedings of the Human Factors Society Annual Meeting ◽

10.1177/154193128703100736 ◽

1987 ◽

Vol 31 (7) ◽

pp. 847-851 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Yili Liu ◽

Christopher D. Wickens

Keyword(s):

Task Performance ◽

Dual Task ◽

Task Difficulty ◽

Task Structure ◽

Time Sharing ◽

Multiple Resources ◽

Response Modality ◽

Dual Task Performance ◽

Processing Resources ◽

And Task

We report here the first experiment of a series studying the effect of task structure and difficulty demand on time-sharing performance and workload in both automated and corresponding manual systems. The experimental task involves manual control time-shared with spatial and verbal decisions tasks of two levels of difficulty and two modes of response (voice or manual). The results provide strong evidence that tasks and processes competing for common processing resources are time shared less effectively and have higher workload than tasks competing for separate resources. Subjective measures and the structure of multiple resources are used in conjunction to predict dual task performance. The evidence comes from both single task and from dual task performance.

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The Association between High Neuroticism-Low Extraversion and Dual-Task Performance during Walking While Talking in Non-demented Older Adults

Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society ◽

10.1017/s1355617715000570 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 21 (7) ◽

pp. 519-530 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Brittany C. LeMonda ◽

Jeannette R. Mahoney ◽

Joe Verghese ◽

Roee Holtzer

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Task Performance ◽

Cognitive Performance ◽

Dual Task ◽

Stress Test ◽

Adverse Outcomes ◽

Task Demands ◽

Gait Velocity ◽

Older Individuals ◽

Dual Task Performance

AbstractThe Walking While Talking (WWT) dual-task paradigm is a mobility stress test that predicts major outcomes, including falls, frailty, disability, and mortality in aging. Certain personality traits, such as neuroticism, extraversion, and their combination, have been linked to both cognitive and motor outcomes. We examined whether individual differences in personality dimensions of neuroticism and extraversion predicted dual-task performance decrements (both motor and cognitive) on a WWT task in non-demented older adults. We hypothesized that the combined effect of high neuroticism-low extraversion would be related to greater dual-task costs in gait velocity and cognitive performance in non-demented older adults. Participants (N=295; age range,=65–95 years; female=164) completed the Big Five Inventory and WWT task involving concurrent gait and a serial 7’s subtraction task. Gait velocity was obtained using an instrumented walkway. The high neuroticism-low extraversion group incurred greater dual-task costs (i.e., worse performance) in both gait velocity {95% confidence interval (CI) [−17.68 to −3.07]} and cognitive performance (95% CI [−19.34 to −2.44]) compared to the low neuroticism-high extraversion group, suggesting that high neuroticism-low extraversion interferes with the allocation of attentional resources to competing task demands during the WWT task. Older individuals with high neuroticism-low extraversion may be at higher risk for falls, mobility decline and other adverse outcomes in aging. (JINS, 2015, 21, 519–530)

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Resources and dual-task performance; resource allocation versus task integration

Acta Psychologica ◽

10.1016/0001-6918(89)90030-9 ◽

1989 ◽

Vol 72 (3) ◽

pp. 221-232 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Mieke Donk ◽

Andries F. Sanders

Keyword(s):

Resource Allocation ◽

Task Performance ◽

Dual Task ◽

Dual Task Performance

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No impact of instructions and feedback on task integration in motor learning

Memory & Cognition ◽

10.3758/s13421-020-01094-6 ◽

2020 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Harald Ewolds ◽

Laura Broeker ◽

Rita F. de Oliveira ◽

Markus Raab ◽

Stefan Künzell

Keyword(s):

Task Performance ◽

Dual Task ◽

Reaction Time Task ◽

Tracking Task ◽

High Pitch ◽

Motor Tasks ◽

Dual Tasks ◽

Single Task ◽

Dual Task Performance ◽

Improved Performance

Abstract This study examined the effect of instructions and feedback on the integration of two tasks. Task-integration of covarying tasks are thought to help dual-task performance. With complete task integration of covarying dual tasks, a dual task becomes more like a single task and dual-task costs should be reduced as it is no longer conceptualized as a dual task. In the current study we tried to manipulate the extent to which tasks are integrated. We covaried a tracking task with an auditory go/no-go task and tried to manipulate the extent of task-integration by using two different sets of instructions and feedback. A group receiving task-integration promoting instructions and feedback (N = 18) and a group receiving task-separation instructions and feedback (N = 20) trained on a continuous tracking task. The tracking task covaried with the auditory go/no-go reaction time task because high-pitch sounds always occurred 250 ms before turns, which has been demonstrated to foster task integration. The tracking task further contained a repeating segment to investigate implicit learning. Results showed that instructions, feedback, or participants’ conceptualization of performing a single task versus a dual task did not significantly affect task integration. However, the covariation manipulation improved performance in both the tracking and the go/no-go task, exceeding performance in non-covarying and single tasks. We concluded that task integration between covarying motor tasks is a robust phenomenon that is not influenced by instructions or feedback.

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