scholarly journals WAUC: A Multi-Modal Database for Mental Workload Assessment Under Physical Activity

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Isabela Albuquerque ◽  
Abhishek Tiwari ◽  
Mark Parent ◽  
Raymundo Cassani ◽  
Jean-François Gagnon ◽  
...  

Assessment of mental workload is crucial for applications that require sustained attention and where conditions such as mental fatigue and drowsiness must be avoided. Previous work that attempted to devise objective methods to model mental workload were mainly based on neurological or physiological data collected when the participants performed tasks that did not involve physical activity. While such models may be useful for scenarios that involve static operators, they may not apply in real-world situations where operators are performing tasks under varying levels of physical activity, such as those faced by first responders, firefighters, and police officers. Here, we describe WAUC, a multimodal database of mental Workload Assessment Under physical aCtivity. The study involved 48 participants who performed the NASA Revised Multi-Attribute Task Battery II under three different activity level conditions. Physical activity was manipulated by changing the speed of a stationary bike or a treadmill. During data collection, six neural and physiological modalities were recorded, namely: electroencephalography, electrocardiography, breathing rate, skin temperature, galvanic skin response, and blood volume pulse, in addition to 3-axis accelerometry. Moreover, participants were asked to answer the NASA Task Load Index questionnaire after each experimental section, as well as rate their physical fatigue level on the Borg fatigue scale. In order to bring our experimental setup closer to real-world situations, all signals were monitored using wearable, off-the-shelf devices. In this paper, we describe the adopted experimental protocol, as well as validate the subjective, neural, and physiological data collected. The WAUC database, including the raw data and features, subjective ratings, and scripts to reproduce the experiments reported herein will be made available at: http://musaelab.ca/resources/.

Author(s):  
Martina I. Klein ◽  
Michael A. Riley ◽  
Joel S. Warm ◽  
Gerald Matthews

Endoscopic surgery–a procedure wherein a target organ is displayed on a monitor and physicians use graspers to manipulate the tissue - has benefits for patients in terms of reduced blood loss, infection, and pain. However, physicians' informal reports indicate that this type of surgery is challenging to perform. These challenges arise from the need to view the target tissue on a monitor, resulting in reduced depth information as well as a disruption of the normal hand-eye mapping. This study represents the initial experimental effort to assess the workload demands experienced in an endoscopic surgery simulator using the NASA-Task Load Index (TLX), a well validated workload measure, and the Multiple Resource Questionnaire (MRQ), a newly developed workload scale. The TLX revealed that the workload experienced in the simulator was indeed high. Additionally, the MRQ revealed different workload profiles associated with different levels of handeye mapping disruption.


2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 117-121
Author(s):  
Almir de França Ferraz ◽  
Erinaldo Luiz de Andrade ◽  
Michell Vetoraci Viana ◽  
Roberta Luksevicius Rica ◽  
Danilo Sales Bocalini ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Introduction: Studies of sedentary behavior in the workplace, where conditions represent a health risk, mainly involving levels of physical activity and health of police officers, have increased in several countries around the world. Objective The objective of this study was to compare the physical activity levels, sedentary behavior and health risks of military police officers involved in overt and specialized patrolling. Methods: A total of 146 military police officers involved in overt and specialized patrolling were assessed, and anthropometric data were collected for body mass - kg; height - m; BMI - kg/ m²; waist-hip ratio (WHR) and fat percentage. Physical activity and inactivity levels were determined using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), short version 8, with statistical analysis (t-Test, Mann-Whitney U test and Chi-squared test, p≤0.05). Results: The mean time of physical activity – overt patrolling (108.33 ± 92.60 min/week) and specialized patrolling (137.11 ± 90.30 min/week) totaled an overall mean of 122.72 ± 91.94 min/week, p≤0.05; and time seated – overt patrolling (391.27 ± 192.90 min/week) had 30.1% of insufficiently active participants, while specialized patrolling was 319.41 ± 123.10 min/week with 17.1% of insufficiently active participants, with a total mean of 312.00 ± 112.30 min/week and 47.3% of insufficiently active participants. Active police officers are one-third less likely to develop health risk than inactive police officers (OR = 0.3, CI = 0.18-0.67). Overt patrol police officers are 3.6 more likely to develop health risk than specialized patrol police officers due to sedentary behavior (OR = 3.6, CI = 1.48-8.75). Conclusion: Both groups of military police officers have lower than recommended physical activity levels and spend most of their time seated. It was also noted that the variables of overt patrol police officers have indicators that are more detrimental to health than specialized patrol officers, yet both occupational groups should be instructed on how to adopt active and healthy lifestyles. Level of evidence II; Prognostic studies-Investigation of the effect of patient characteristics on disease outcome.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melanie Zimmer ◽  
Ali Al-Yacoub ◽  
Pedro Ferreira ◽  
Ella-Mae Hubbard ◽  
Niels Lohse

Since late 2019, a novel Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has spread globally. As a result, businesses were forced to send their workforce into remote working, wherever possible. While research in this area has seen an increase in studying and developing technologies that allow and support such remote working style, not every sector is currently prepared for such a transition. Especially the manufacturing sector has faced challenges in this regard. In this paper, the mental workload of two groups of participants is studied during a human-robot interaction task. Participants were asked to bring a robotised cell used in a dispensing task to full production by tuning system parameters. After the experiment, a self-assessment of the participants’ perceived mental workload using the NASA Task Load Index (NASA-TLX) was used. The results show that remote participants tend to have lower perceived workload compared to the local participants.


Ergonomics ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 56 (5) ◽  
pp. 752-763 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marc Mouzé-Amady ◽  
Eric Raufaste ◽  
Henri Prade ◽  
Jean-Pierre Meyer

2011 ◽  
Vol 5 (10) ◽  
pp. 2374
Author(s):  
Adriana Arruda Barbosa ◽  
Giselle Pinheiro Lima Aires Gomes ◽  
Ivandra Mari Roieski ◽  
Elizângela Sofia Ribeiro Rodrigues ◽  
Sávia Denise Silva Carlotto Herrera

ABSTRACTObjective: to verify the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in hypertensive military police officers. Method: this is a transversal, descriptive, and exploratory research, approved by the Research Ethics Committee of Centro Universitario Unirg under the Protocol 0142/2010, in which the 22 military police officers identified as hypertensive subjects underwent the assessment of vital signs and anthropometric measurements. After this, they answered to the questionnaires on physical activity level, smoking habit, pattern of alcohol intake, inventory of stress symptoms, and dietary interview. The data underwent a statistical analysis using the chi-square test with Yates' correction. Results: with regard to the body mass index (BMI), only 5% were normal. In the waist/hip ratio (WHR), it was found that 36.36% presented cardiac risk factors. In the physical activity level, 22.73% were sedentary, and 36.36% were insufficiently active. Considering the smoking habit, only 9.09% were smokers. In the pattern of alcohol intake, 4.55% fit into the zone III and 9.09% fit into the zone IV. Through the stress questionnaire it was found that 54.55% did not fit into any phase. In the feeding pattern assessment, 40.91% had the adequate number of daily meals and only 18.18% consumed adequate amounts of macronutrients. Conclusion: the cardiovascular risk factors evaluated, such as WHR, smoking habit, stress, and alcohol intake, presented a low prevalence among military police officers, however, with regard to BMI, those evaluated were mostly classified as subjects with overweight or obesity, insufficiently active or sedentary, and with a reduced number of daily meals. Descriptors: hypertension; cardiovascular diseases; prevalence.RESUMOObjetivo: verificar a prevalência dos fatores de risco cardiovasculares em policiais militares hipertensos. Método: trata-se de pesquisa transversal, descritiva e exploratória, aprovada pelo Comitê de Ética em Pesquisa do Centro Universitário Unirg sob o Protocolo n. 0142/2010, na qual os 22 policiais militares identificados como hipertensos foram submetidos à aferição dos sinais vitais e das medidas antropométricas. Após isso, responderam aos questionários sobre nível de atividade física, hábito tabagístico, padrão do uso do álcool, inventário de sintomas de stress e inquérito dietético. Os dados foram submetidos à análise estatística utilizando o teste de Qui-quadrado com correção de Yates. Resultados: em se tratando do índice de massa corpórea (IMC), apenas 5% encontrava-se dentro da normalidade. Na relação cintura-quadril (RCQ), constatou-se que 36,36% apresentavam fatores de risco cardíaco. No nível de atividade física, 22,73% eram sedentários e 36,36% insuficientemente ativos. Sobre hábito tabagístico, apenas 9,09% eram fumantes. No padrão do uso de álcool, 4,55% encontravam-se na zona III e 9,09% na zona IV. Por meio do questionário de estresse constatou-se 54,55% não estavam em nenhuma fase. Na avaliação do hábito alimentar, 40,91% faziam o número adequado de refeições diárias e apenas 18,18% alimentavam-se com quantidades adequadas de macronutrientes. Conclusão: os fatores de riscos cardiovasculares avaliados, como RCQ, hábito tabagístico, estresse e ingestão de álcool, apresentaram baixa prevalência nos policiais militares, porém, em relação ao IMC, os avaliados foram classificados, em sua maioria, com sobrepeso ou obesidade, insuficientemente ativos ou sedentários e com número reduzido de refeições diárias. Descritores: hipertensão; doenças cardiovasculares; prevalência.RESUMEN Objetivo: verificar la prevalencia de los factores de riesgo cardiovasculares en policías militares hipertensos. Método: esta investigación fue transversal, descriptiva y exploratoria y aprobado por el  Comité de Ética en Investigación del Centro Universitario Unirg bajo Protocolo nº 0142/2010, en el que 22 policías militares identificados como hipertensos se sometieron al contraste de signos vitales y a medidas antropométricas. Tras ello, respondieron a los cuestionarios sobre nivel de actividad física, hábitos tabaquistas, estándar de empleo de alcohol, inventario de síntomas de estrés y hábitos dietéticos. Los datos se sometieron a un análisis estadístico empleando el test de qui-cuadrado con corrección de Yates. Resultados: tratándose del índice de masa corporal (IMC), apenas el 5% se encontraba dentro de la normalidad. En la relación cintura-caderas (RCC), se constató que el 36,36% presentaban riesgo cardíaco. En el nivel de actividad física, el 22,73% eran sedentarios y el 36,36% insuficientemente activos. Sobre hábitos tabaquistas, apenas el 9,09% eran fumadores. En el estándar de consumo de alcohol, el 4,55% se encontraba en la zona III y el 9,09% en la zona IV. Por medio de cuestionario de estrés se constató que un 54,4% no estaba en ninguna fase. En la evaluación de hábitos alimenticios, el 40,91% efectuaba el número adecuado de comidas diarias y apenas el 18,18% se alimentaba con cantidades adecuadas de macro-nutrientes. Conclusión: los factores de riesgo cardiovasculares evaluados, como RCC, hábitos tabaquistas, estrés e consumo de alcohol, estos presentaron baja prevalencia en los policías militares, aunque en relación al IMC, los evaluados se clasificaron, en su mayoría, con sobrepeso y obesidad, insuficientemente activos o sedentarios y con número reducido de comidas diarias. Descriptores: hipertensión; enfermedades cardiovasculares; prevalencia.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (3B) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nurul Izzah Abd Rahman ◽  
◽  
Siti Zawiah Md Dawal ◽  
Nukman Yusoff ◽  
◽  
...  

The ageing drivers’ population is increasing rapidly, and they are exposed to disabilities due to degenerative processes, thus affecting their driving performance. The main objective of this study is to determine the mental workload of ageing drivers, while the second objective is to compare the mental workload between ageing drivers and control group. The methodology consisted of on-the-road experimental driving tasks that comprised three levels of situation complexity. The NASA-Task Load Index (NASA-TLX) and electroencephalogram (EEG) were measured on 30 drivers. The NASA-TLX scores revealed that the ageing drivers’ mean physical demand score was the highest compared to others in moderately complex situation and very complex situation, scoring 37.25 and 43.50, respectively. Meanwhile, for electroencephalogram signals’ fluctuation, results showed that situation complexity had significant effects on RPθ and RPα of channel locations FZPZ and O1O2. There was a significant difference in the weighted workload scores for the ageing drivers and control group in simple situation, while there was no significant difference found in RPθ and RPα bands at all channel locations. The findings would be beneficial as a guideline for designers, manufacturers, developers, and policy makers in designing better driving environment for ageing drivers.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jannis Born ◽  
Babu Ram Naidu Ramachandran ◽  
Sandra Alejandra Romero Pinto ◽  
Stefan Winkler ◽  
Rama Ratnam

AbstractObjectiveThe effect of task load on performance is investigated by simultaneously collecting multi-modal physiological data and participant response data. Periodic response to a questionnaire is also obtained. The goal is to determine combinations of modalities that best serve as predictors of task performance.ApproachA group of participants performed a computer-based visual search task mimicking postal code sorting. A five-digit number had to be assigned to one of six different non-overlapping numeric ranges. Trials were presented in blocks of progressively increasing task difficulty. The participants’ responses were collected simultaneously with 32 channels of electroencephalography (EEG) data, eye-tracking data, and Galvanic Skin Response (GSR) data. The NASA Task-Load-Index self-reporting instrument was administered at discrete time points in the experiment.Main resultsLow beta frequency EEG waves (12.5-18 Hz) were more prominent as cognitive task load increased, with most activity in frontal and parietal regions. These were accompanied by more frequent eye blinks and increased pupillary dilation. Blink duration correlated strongly with task performance. Phasic components of the GSR signal were related to cognitive workload, whereas tonic components indicated a more general state of arousal. Subjective data (NASA TLX) as reported by the participants showed an increase in frustration and mental workload. Based on one-way ANOVA, EEG and GSR provided the most reliable correlation to perceived workload level and were the most informative measures (taken together) for performance prediction.SignificanceNumerous modalities come into play during task-related activity. Many of these modalities can provide information on task performance when appropriately grouped. This study suggests that while EEG is a good predictor of task performance, additional modalities such as GSR increase the likelihood of more accurate predictions. Further, in controlled laboratory conditions, the most informative or minimum number of modalities can be isolated for monitoring in real work environments.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gilles Albeaino ◽  
Ricardo Eiris ◽  
Masoud Gheisari ◽  
Raja Raymond Issa

Purpose This study aims to explore DroneSim, a virtual reality (VR)-based flight training simulator, as an alternative for real-world drone-mediated building inspection training. Design/methodology/approach Construction, engineering and management students were asked to pilot drones in the VR-based DroneSim space and perform common flight operations and inspection tasks within the spatiotemporal context of a building construction project. Another student group was also recruited and asked to perform a similar building inspection task in real world. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)–Task Load Index (TLX) survey was used to assess students’ inflight workload demand under both Real and DroneSim conditions. Post-assessment questionnaires were also used to analyze students’ feedback regarding the usability and presence of DroneSim for drone building inspection training. Findings None of the NASA–TLX task load levels under real and DroneSim conditions were highly rated by students, and both groups experienced comparable drone-building inspection training. Students perceived DroneSim positively and found the VR experience stimulating. Originality/value This study’s contribution is twofold: to better understand the development stages involved in the design of a VR-based drone flight training simulator, specifically for building inspection tasks; and to improve construction students’ drone operational and flight training skills by offering them the opportunity to enhance their drone navigation skills in a risk-free, repeatable yet realistic environment. Such contributions ultimately pave the way for better integration of drone-mediated building inspection training in construction education while meeting industry needs.


Author(s):  
Herbert A. Colle ◽  
Gary B. Reid

The impact of performance context on subjective mental workload ratings was assessed with the Subjective Workload Assessment Technique (SWAT) and the NASA Task Load Index (TLX). In Experiment 1, a strong context effect was demonstrated. A low range of task difficulty produced considerably higher ratings on a common set of difficulty levels than did a high range of task difficulty. In Experiment 2, increasing the participants′ range of experiences during practice eliminated the context effect. We recommend that methods for standardizing context, such as providing experience with the complete difficulty range, be developed for subjective mental workload evaluations. Actual or potential applications of this research include providing methodologies for controlling context effects in practical assessments of mental workload to increase the validity of subjective measures.


2013 ◽  
Vol 110 (9) ◽  
pp. 1712-1721 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nora Sihvola ◽  
Riitta Korpela ◽  
Andreas Henelius ◽  
Anu Holm ◽  
Minna Huotilainen ◽  
...  

Dietary components may affect brain function and influence behaviour by inducing the synthesis of neurotransmitters. The aim of the present study was to examine the influence of consumption of a whey protein-containing breakfast drink v. a carbohydrate drink v. control on subjective and physiological responses to mental workload in simulated work. In a randomised cross-over design, ten healthy subjects (seven women, median age 26 years, median BMI 23 kg/m2) participated in a single-blinded, placebo-controlled study. The subjects performed demanding work-like tasks after having a breakfast drink high in protein (HP) or high in carbohydrate (HC) or a control drink on separate sessions. Subjective states were assessed using the NASA Task Load Index (NASA-TLX), the Karolinska sleepiness scale (KSS) and the modified Profile of Mood States. Heart rate was recorded during task performance. The ratio of plasma tryptophan (Trp) to the sum of the other large neutral amino acids (LNAA) and salivary cortisol were also analysed. The plasma Trp:LNAA ratio was 30 % higher after the test drinks HP (median 0·13 (μmol/l)/(μmol/l)) and HC (median 0·13 (μmol/l)/(μmol/l)) than after the control drink (median 0·10 (μmol/l)/(μmol/l)). The increase in heart rate was smaller after the HP (median 2·7 beats/min) and HC (median 1·9 beats/min) drinks when compared with the control drink (median 7·2 beats/min) during task performance. Subjective sleepiness was reduced more after the HC drink (median KSS − 1·5) than after the control drink (median KSS − 0·5). There were no significant differences between the breakfast types in the NASA-TLX index, cortisol levels or task performance. We conclude that a breakfast drink high in whey protein or carbohydrates may improve coping with mental tasks in healthy subjects.


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