Measurement of Mental Workload Changes during Laparoscopy with a Visual-Spatial Task

Abstract

A visual-spatial secondary task was used as a measure of mental workload during the performance of a simulated laparoscopic surgical task. Task demands were manipulated by an increase in the degree of camera angle. NASA-TLX scores were used to corroborate changes in task demands. Results indicated that performance on the visual-spatial secondary task decreased with the increase in task demands associated with the increase in camera angle. NASA-TLX scores were consistent with the performance measures revealing that participants felt the laparoscopic task was more demanding when camera angle increased. The use of similar workload assessment methods may allow for more accurate estimates of the mental demands imposed by laparoscopy. These results show that the spatial secondary task used in this study can provide an objective index of mental workload that can complement traditional measures.