A peek into the brain at work: psychophysiological correlates of workload
Advances in mobile psychophysiological technologies—particularly EEG—enable real-time measurement of cognitive workload in authentic work environments, moving beyond questionnaire and behavioral assessments. This neuroergonomics approach reveals how the brain manages cognitive-motor demands during real-world tasks.
Using eye-activity related potentials alongside traditional EEG analyses, we analyze neural signatures of workload in naturalistic settings. We employ both modernized versions of classic cognitive psychology paradigms adapted for mobile participants, as well as spontaneous blinks as time-locking events. These blink-related neural responses provide sensitive markers of cognitive strain in naturalistic settings without requiring artificial, external stimulation.
Drawing from studies spanning from outdoor environments to driving simulators, psychophysiological markers like frontal theta power and blink-related potentials reveal when workers are under high cognitive workload. These insights will inform adaptive system design and real-time performance prediction, supporting humans in socio-technical systems through environments that dynamically respond to operators' cognitive states.