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Manipulating Drivers' Mental Workload: Neuroergonomic Evaluation of the Speed Regulation N-Back Task Using NASA-TLX and Auditory P3a

Nikol Figalová, Jürgen Pichen, Vanchha Chandrayan, Olga Pollatos, Lewis Chuang, Martin Baumann

TL;DR

This study tackles the challenge of manipulating mental workload in single-task driving research by applying a standardized speed regulation n-back task. It combines subjective NASA-TLX assessments with objective P3a ERP measurements elicited by novel environmental sounds to validate the MW manipulation. Results show that the 2-back condition is perceived as more demanding and reduces P3a amplitude, supporting the proposed inverse relationship between MW and P3a resources and confirming the method’s reliability and validity. The findings offer a reproducible framework for MW manipulation in driving studies, with implications for experimental control and cross-study comparability.

Abstract

Manipulating MW in driving simulator studies without the need to introduce a non-driving-related task remains challenging. This study aims to empirically evaluate the modified speed regulation n-back task, a tool to manipulate drivers' MW. Our experiment involved 23 participants who experienced a 0-back and 2-back driving condition, with task-irrelevant novel environmental sounds used to elicit P3a event-related potentials. Results indicate that the 2-back condition was perceived as more demanding, evidenced by higher NASA-TLX scores (overall score, mental and temporal demand, effort, frustration). The mean P3a amplitude was diminished during the 2-back condition compared to the 0-back condition, suggesting that drivers experienced higher MW and had fewer resources available to process the novel environmental sounds. This study provides empirical evidence indicating that the speed regulation n-back task could be a valid, effective, and reproducible method to manipulate MW in driving research.

Manipulating Drivers' Mental Workload: Neuroergonomic Evaluation of the Speed Regulation N-Back Task Using NASA-TLX and Auditory P3a

TL;DR

This study tackles the challenge of manipulating mental workload in single-task driving research by applying a standardized speed regulation n-back task. It combines subjective NASA-TLX assessments with objective P3a ERP measurements elicited by novel environmental sounds to validate the MW manipulation. Results show that the 2-back condition is perceived as more demanding and reduces P3a amplitude, supporting the proposed inverse relationship between MW and P3a resources and confirming the method’s reliability and validity. The findings offer a reproducible framework for MW manipulation in driving studies, with implications for experimental control and cross-study comparability.

Abstract

Manipulating MW in driving simulator studies without the need to introduce a non-driving-related task remains challenging. This study aims to empirically evaluate the modified speed regulation n-back task, a tool to manipulate drivers' MW. Our experiment involved 23 participants who experienced a 0-back and 2-back driving condition, with task-irrelevant novel environmental sounds used to elicit P3a event-related potentials. Results indicate that the 2-back condition was perceived as more demanding, evidenced by higher NASA-TLX scores (overall score, mental and temporal demand, effort, frustration). The mean P3a amplitude was diminished during the 2-back condition compared to the 0-back condition, suggesting that drivers experienced higher MW and had fewer resources available to process the novel environmental sounds. This study provides empirical evidence indicating that the speed regulation n-back task could be a valid, effective, and reproducible method to manipulate MW in driving research.
Paper Structure (15 sections, 2 figures)

This paper contains 15 sections, 2 figures.

Table of Contents

  1. Introduction
  2. Related Work
  3. Hypotheses
  4. Methods
  5. Particpants
  6. Apparatus and Procedure
  7. Experimental task
  8. Stimuli and Questionnaires
  9. EEG Pre-processing and Analysis
  10. Results
  11. Self-reported Mental Workload
  12. Mean P3a amplitude
  13. Discussion
  14. Limitations and Future Work
  15. Contribution and Novelty

Figures (2)

  • Figure 1: Example of the speed regulation n-back task.
  • Figure 2: a) The mean score of the six dimensions of NASA-TLX. The error bars represent a 95% confidence interval. Significant differences are highlighted (*** p$\leq$ .001, ** p$\leq$ .01). b) Difference wave (environmental novel distractor-frequent distractor) ERPs for the 0-back and 2-back experimental conditions at the Fz electrode. Mean amplitudes in the yellow-highlighted area (303 to 353 ms) were submitted for statistical comparisons.