Cognitive Demands Research Articles

Enhancing automated production lines with human-centricity: how to combine virtual reality simulation and human data analysis

ABSTRACT The fourth industrial revolution (I4.0) is driving the development of automated and intelligent manufacturing systems, but managing these systems poses challenges, especially for maintenance and process control. The emerging Industry 5.0 (I5.0) concept advocates for a human-centered approach, integrating human skills with advanced technologies to address such challenges. This study introduces a novel holistic evaluation of ergonomics, moving beyond traditional physical assessments to include cognitive ergonomics, thus providing a more comprehensive analysis of operator interactions with industrial systems. The proposed approach leverages Virtual Reality (VR) simulations combined with wearable devices to collect data on users’ movements and physiological parameters. This enables simultaneous evaluation of physical workload and cognitive demands, fostering early identification of ergonomic issues in the design process. Unlike traditional methods, our framework emphasizes a deeper integration of devices for enhanced data analysis, ensuring that both physical and cognitive factors are addressed. As a case study, the redesign of an automated packaging machine was undertaken. Results demonstrated significant ergonomic improvements, reducing the EAWS (European Assessment Work-Sheet) score (from 30% to 50% approx.) and incorporating cognitive ergonomics into the evaluation. These findings highlight the potential of this approach to enhance the operator’s experience and optimize human-machine interaction in modern industrial environments.

Cognitive Offloading in Short-Term Memory Tasks: Trust Toward Tools as a Moderator

Cognitive offloading refers to using physical actions to reduce cognitive demand by altering a task’s information processing requirements. It enables problem-solving beyond the brain’s capacity. This study introduces subjective trust toward tools as a key factor in cognitive offloading, reflecting the connection between users and the tools they rely on. Participants rated their trust toward three tools before using them in a short-term memory task with four difficulty levels. Task performance and cognitive offloading frequency were recorded. Results showed that cognitive offloading significantly improved performance, with stronger effects when trust toward the tool was high. When faced with tasks of medium difficulty, participants were more inclined to adopt cognitive offloading strategies with tools they trusted than those they trusted less. These findings highlight the importance of trust toward tool selection for cognitive offloading, offering insights into designing and choosing effective tools for enhancing cognitive performance.

Procedural Learning in Mixed Reality: Assessing Cognitive Load and Performance

Immersive technologies offer promising advancements in medical education, particularly in procedural skill acquisition. However, their implementation often lacks a foundation in learning theories. This study investigates the application of the split-attention principle, a multimedia learning guideline, in the design of knot-tying procedural content using a mixed reality (MR) technology, specifically Microsoft HoloLens 2. A total of 26 participants took part in a between-group design experiment comparing integrated and split-source formats for learning arthroscopic knots, with the performance and the cognitive load assessed. The initial hypotheses were not confirmed, as results did not show significant differences in performance during recall, nor in extraneous and germane cognitive load. However, the findings on intrinsic cognitive load highlight the complexity of participant engagement and the cognitive demands of procedural learning. To better capture the split-attention effect, future research should address the high element interactivity in MR representations. The study provides some foundation for designing procedural simulation training that considers both learners’ needs and cognitive processes in highly immersive environments. It contributes to the ongoing exploration of instructional design in MR-based medical education, emphasizing both the potential and challenges of multimedia learning principles in advanced technological contexts.

Interrelatedness of Neurocognitive Domain Functioning Between Unprompted and Prompted Identification Testing With Psychophysical Olfactory Evaluation in a Post‐COVID‐19 Cohort

ABSTRACTObjectiveAssessment of olfactory function with psychophysical testing requires cognitive demand to correctly pair test odors with remembered scents. Individuals suffering from long‐Corona Virus Disease 2019 (long‐COVID‐19) may develop a decline in neurocognitive performance, which may be concurrent with persistent olfactory dysfunction (OD). Given the rigorous cognitive demand of the unprompted identification (UI) olfactory assessment, the goal of this study is to understand whether it could serve as a proxy for specific neurocognitive domains during clinical assessment of olfaction.MethodsParticipants from our long‐COVID cohorts with persistent OD underwent a panel of neurocognitive screening followed by olfactory assessment of threshold followed by unprompted (UI) and prompted identification (PI) tests using Sniffin' Sticks. Hierarchical linear mixed‐effect models were used to understand the relative impact of each neurocognitive variable after controlling for demographics and olfactory threshold scores.ResultsNeurocognitive variables demonstrated common correlation trends. Models containing Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) and digit‐span backward scores had statistically significant fits for both UI (MoCA: χ2 = 10.20, p = 0.001/digit‐span backward: χ2 = 4.27, p = 0.04) and PI (MoCA: χ2 = 4.51, p = 0.03/digit‐span backward: χ2 = 5.04, p = 0.02) linear mixed‐effect models, but UI was further explained by logical memory (χ2 = 7.84, p = 0.005), verbal fluency (χ2 = 8.79, p = 0.003), and digit‐span forward (χ2 = 12.30, p = 0.0004). These relationships were statistically significant after controlling for demographic and olfactory threshold covariates.ConclusionsUI and PI have interrelated neurocognitive dependence on global cognition (MoCA) and executive function (digit‐span backward) among long‐COVID participants. As UI draws upon neurocognitive domains of episodic (logical memory), semantic (verbal fluency), and working memory (digit‐span forward), the inclusion of a UI task may provide supplementary screening for cognitive impairments in those undergoing clinical olfactory assessment, particularly among those with lingering effects of COVID‐19.

ChromaGazer: Unobtrusive Visual Modulation Using Imperceptible Color Vibration for Visual Guidance.

Visual guidance (VG) plays an essential role in directing user attention in virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) environments. However, traditional approaches rely on explicit visual annotations, which often compromise visual clarity and increase user cognitive load. To address this issue, we propose an unobtrusive VG technique based on color vibration, a phenomenon in which rapidly alternating colors at frequencies above 25 Hz are perceived as a single intermediate color. Our work explores a perceptual state that exists between complete color fusion and visible flicker, where color differences remain detectable without conscious awareness of vibration. Through two experimental studies, we first identified the thresholds separating complete fusion, this intermediate perceptual state, and visible flicker by systematically varying color vibration parameters. Subsequently, we applied color vibrations with derived thresholds to natural image regions and validated their attention-guiding capabilities using eye-tracking measurements. The results demonstrate that controlled color vibration successfully directs user attention while maintaining low cognitive demand, providing an effective method for implementing unobtrusive VG in VR and AR systems.

Active touch in tactile perceptual discrimination: brain activity and behavioral responses to surface differences.

This study investigates the neural and behavioral mechanisms of tactile perceptual discrimination using fMRI and a set of wrinkled surface stimuli with varying textures. Fifteen female participants were tasked with distinguishing between different surfaces by touch alone. Behavioral results demonstrated variable discriminability across conditions, reflecting the tactile sensitivity of human fingertips. Neural analysis showed varied brain activations tied to the task's difficulty. In the easiest least fine-grained discrimination condition, widespread activations were observed across sensory and integration regions. As task difficulty increased, stronger parietal and frontal lobe involvement reflected higher cognitive demands. In the hardest most fine-grained discrimination condition, activation concentrated in the right frontal lobe, indicating reliance on executive functions. These results highlight the brain's intricate role in processing sensory information during tactile discrimination tasks of varying difficulty. As task difficulty increases, the brain adapts by engaging additional neural resources to meet higher cognitive demands. This research advances our understanding of the psychophysical and neural bases of tactile discrimination acuity, with practical implications for designing materials that enhance tactile feedback.

Evaluating Cognitive Function and Brain Activity Patterns via Blood Oxygen Level-Dependent Transformer in N-Back Working Memory Tasks

(1) Background: Working memory, which involves temporary storage, information processing, and regulating attention resources, is a fundamental cognitive process and constitutes a significant component of neuroscience research. This study aimed to evaluate brain activation patterns by analyzing functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) time-series data collected during a designed N-back working memory task with varying cognitive demands. (2) Methods: We utilized a novel transformer model, blood oxygen level-dependent transformer (BolT), to extract the activation level features of brain regions in the cognitive process, thereby obtaining the influence weights of regions of interest (ROIs) on the corresponding tasks. (3) Results: Compared with previous studies, our work reached similar conclusions in major brain region performance and provides a more precise analysis for identifying brain activation patterns. For each type of working memory task, we selected the top 5 percent of the most influential ROIs and conducted a comprehensive analysis and discussion. Additionally, we explored the effect of prior knowledge conditions on the performance of different tasks in the same period and the same tasks at different times. (4) Conclusions: The comparison results reflect the brain’s adaptive strategies and dependencies in coping with different levels of cognitive demands and the stability optimization of the brain’s cognitive processing. This study introduces innovative methodologies for understanding brain function and cognitive processes, highlighting the potential of transformer in cognitive neuroscience. Its findings offer new insights into brain activity patterns associated with working memory, contributing to the broader landscape of neuroscience research.

Effects of memantine and donepezil on social memory, anxiety-like behavior and the expression levels of microRNA-124, microRNA-125b, and microRNA-132 in scopolamine-induced memory impairment in rats

ABSTRACT Introduction Almost all physiological processes are modulated by microRNAs, therefore, dysregulation of these small regulatory RNAs is observed in a variety of diseases, including cognitive impairments. Methods In this study, 40 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into five groups of control, scopolamine, donepezil, memantine, and combined administration of donepezil + memantine. Rats in scopolamine, donepezil, memantine, and combined administration of donepezil + memantine groups received scopolamine (1 mg/kg-intraperitoneal) for 7 days. After the last administration of scopolamine, was started injecting donepezil (3 mg/kg-i.p.), memantine (10 mg/kg-i.p.), and combined administration of Donepezil + Memantine (0.5 mg/kg and 5 mg/kg-i.p., respectively), up to 21 days. Twenty-four hours after the last injection, elevated plus-maze, social interaction, open field tests, and gene expression analysis of miR-124, miR-125b, and miR-132 in the hippocampus were carried out. Results The results of the behavioral tests indicate that donepezil and memantine significantly prevented Scopolamine-induced anxiety, sociability, and social memory decline. The gene expression of selected microRNAs did not significantly differ between the groups. Discussion This study revealed that donepezil and memantine effectively prevent synaptic plasticity disruption and cognitive decline induced by scopolamine. Findings indicated that this treatment is unrelated to the expression of the selected microRNAs. The positive effects of memantine and donepezil depend on age, dosages, cognitive task demands, and possibly the length and timing of the treatment.

Does object-to-scene binding depend on object and scene consistency?

Memory for semantically inconsistent objects in scenes is greater than that for semantically consistent objects - a phenomenon known as the inconsistent object advantage (Hollingworth & Henderson, Visual Cognition, 7(1-3), 213-235, 2000). Semantically inconsistent objects are also fixated longer and more often than consistent objects (Henderson et al., Journal of Experimental Psychology: Human Perception and Performance, 25(1), 210-228, 1999), potentially leaving less time for encoding the rest of the scene in which the objects occur. To determine whether semantically inconsistent objects are stored in memory with fewer of their scene's visual details, participants studied scenes that contained either semantically consistent or inconsistent target objects. After study, target objects were presented at test either in their original scene from the study phase or in a different scene of the same category. Recognition of semantically consistent objects, but not inconsistent objects, was more difficult when placed in a different scene. A disruption in object-scene semantics in the inconsistent condition may: (1) reduce memory for the visual features of the scene, (2) result in looser object-to-scene binding in memory, or both. This disruption may be due to the attentional and cognitive demands of processing the inconsistent object, leading to fewer visual details of the scene being encoded, but leaving unaffected the memory representation of the inconsistent object. This observation provides a new perspective on the inconsistent object advantage and poses interesting questions for future research, such as the impact of attentional deployment on encoding of scenes of inconsistent objects and the specific levels of scene information affected.

Too close to home? Stubbornness, spite, and sheer bloody-mindedness as contributors to perseverance in doctoral study

Abstract Completing a higher degree is a complex and demanding undertaking for doctoral students. Along with the cognitive demands of study, there are competing personal and contextual factors which contribute to stress for students during the process. This study seeks to contribute to existing literature by acknowledging the characteristics of the interplay of various roles and identities, along with the doctoral topic on student’s mental health and perseverance with higher degree studies. Through a collaborative autoethnographic approach, three academics used an arts-based methodology to reflect on our experiences of completing a doctorate which focused on a topic of disability, of which we had lived experience as carers. Data was examined through Pekrun’s control value theory to explore the roles and identities we held during our study, the impact of our unique positionality, as well as the emotional impact from investigating a topic which may have been too close to home.

The relationship between acute aerobic exercise and inhibitory control in college students: The impact of physical and cognitive engagement.

The relationship between acute aerobic exercise and inhibitory control in college students: The impact of physical and cognitive engagement.

The dual impact of education and occupation on cognitive functioning in older Mexican adults: A cross-sectional exploratory study.

The dual impact of education and occupation on cognitive functioning in older Mexican adults: A cross-sectional exploratory study.

Return-to-Play With R2Play: Protocol for Evaluating Cross-Site Feasibility, Face Validity, and Content Validity of a Multidomain Concussion Assessment Tool for Youth.

Clinical concussion assessments do not typically simulate the speed or complexity of sport. Performance changes arising from combined physical, cognitive, and sensory demands of sport may thus remain undetected during rehabilitation. We developed R2Play, a multidomain return-to-play assessment tool for youth with concussions. R2Play involves levels and conditions that vary in physical, cognitive, and sensory load to simulate the multidomain demands of sport. To explore cross-site feasibility, face validity, and content validity of R2Play by integrating quantitative and qualitative data. Convergent mixed-methods feasibility study. Five sites will each recruit 5 clinicians (total nc = 25) and 10 youth sport participants (ages 10-25y) with a history of concussion in the previous year (total ny = 50). Feasibility will be evaluated using quantitative criteria for acceptability, demand, implementation, practicality, and integration, and qualitative investigated data from content analysis of postassessment interviews with youth and clinician participants. Face validity will be investigated in postassessment interviews. Content validity will be established through (1)changes in performance metrics (time to completion, errors, and heart rate) across R2Play levels, (2)youth-perceived physical and cognitive exertion for each level, and (3)overall clinician perceptions determined through postassessment interviews. Qualitative and quantitative data will be merged through joint display to identify areas of convergence, divergence, and complementarity, and to establish meta-inferences about feasibility, face validity, and content validity. This study aims to demonstrate the face and content validity of R2Play, and its feasibility for cross-site implementation. Findings will guide further iteration of R2Play and establish the foundation for a larger multicenter validation study to establish the psychometric properties of R2Play. This work represents an important first step toward the implementation of an ecologically valid multidomain assessment tool designed to support a safe and efficient return-to-play after concussion, ultimately reducing the risk of recurrent concussion and subsequent injury.

The impact of LLM chatbots on learning outcomes in advanced driver assistance systems education

Our study investigates the efficacy of ChatGPT-assisted learning in enhancing the understanding of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) functionalities, comparing it against conventional paper-based learning methods. By employing multiple-choice questionnaires and the NASA Task Load Index to evaluate comprehension and cognitive load, we aimed to assess the impact of interactive Large Language Model (LLM)-driven learning on knowledge acquisition and learner satisfaction. Our findings indicate that participants who engaged with ChatGPT-based training scored higher (on average 11% higher) in correctness and experienced lower cognitive and physical demands, suggesting a more effective and less stressful learning process. This study contributes by highlighting ChatGPT’s potential to accommodate a wide range of learning preferences and improve the comprehension of complex systems or topics. This adaptability was evident across diverse educational backgrounds among young adult participants, showcasing the tool’s ability to bridge knowledge gaps more efficiently than conventional methods. Our research advocates the integration of LLM-driven tools in educational and policy-making frameworks to improve the effectiveness of teaching complex systems. This suggests broader applicability and necessitates further investigation into the scalability and effectiveness of ChatGPT-based training across different demographics and learning domains, potentially informing future educational strategies.

The effect of distraction and feedback on prefrontal cortex activity and balance in middle-aged adults: A functional near-infrared spectroscopy pilot study.

The effect of distraction and feedback on prefrontal cortex activity and balance in middle-aged adults: A functional near-infrared spectroscopy pilot study.

The impact of talker variability and individual differences on word learning in adults.

The impact of talker variability and individual differences on word learning in adults.

Mental fatigue increases perception of effort but does not compromise the inhibitory control of football referees during a match simulation physical task.

Executive functioning (EF) in referees is associated with their decision-making during a match and can be affected by mental fatigue (MF), a psychobiological state induced by prolonged periods of cognitive activity or high cognitive demand within a short timeframe. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the impact of MF on EF and the perception of effort during a physical task for football referees. Twelve male professional football referees were recruited (32±7.3years; 1.75±0.06cm; 85±13.32kg; 41.4±5.92mLkg-1min-1 VO2max), visiting the laboratory on three occasions: one for characterization and familiarization and two experimental manipulations: high cognitive load (MF) and low cognitive load. After manipulations, they performed a physical task designed to replicate the physical demands of an official match. During the physical task, executive functioning was tested with a reaction time task and the ratings of perceived effort were assessed using subjective scales. The results revealed no effect of MF on response time performance (p=0.395). However, higher perceptions of effort were observed in the high cognitive load condition (p=0.018), which may impact physical performance. Despite the alteration in the perception of effort due to mental fatigue, executive function performance of football referees remained unimpaired.

The Cognitive Complexity of Technical Sciences: An Analysis Using the Depth-of-Knowledge Level Scheme

This study examines the content complexity of Technical Sciences through the Depth-of-Knowledge (DOK) Level Scheme to provide a nuanced understanding of how cognitive demands influence student learning and instructional strategies. Using a quantitative research design and a systematic content analysis approach, the study evaluates the DOK levels embedded in Technical Sciences curricula, instructional resources, and assessment tools. The research focuses on categorizing Technical Sciences topics across the four DOK levels: recall and reproduction, skills and concepts, strategic thinking, and extended thinking. Data were collected from educational materials across various contexts and analysed to identify patterns in content complexity. The findings reveal a heterogeneous distribution of DOK levels, with some topics requiring higher-order thinking skills while others emphasize foundational knowledge. Significant discrepancies in the application of DOK levels across educational contexts were observed, underscoring the need for a consistent framework in curriculum design. The study highlights the implications for educators and curriculum developers, emphasizing the importance of integrating higher DOK levels into instructional practices to foster learners’ critical thinking, problem-solving abilities, and deeper conceptual understanding. Recommendations include adopting DOK-aligned teaching strategies in Technical Sciences and conducting further research to explore the relationship between content complexity and student achievement. By addressing these gaps, the study contributes to ongoing efforts to enhance educational outcomes and promote a more rigorous and relevant Technical Sciences curriculum.

Supplemental Material for Relationship Between Implicit Conflict Monitoring, Metacognitive Monitoring, and Cognitive Control Demand Avoidance in Children and Adults

Supplemental Material for Relationship Between Implicit Conflict Monitoring, Metacognitive Monitoring, and Cognitive Control Demand Avoidance in Children and Adults

Camera Movement Impacts on Mu-Wave Activity During Action Observation in Adults With Autism Spectrum Disorders Without Intellectual Disabilities.

The aim of this study was to investigate differences in mu-wave modulation in individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) without intellectual disabilities compared to a group of neurotypical controls (NT). Thirty autistic individuals and 30 NT underwent an EEG recording while watching short videos depicting goal-oriented action filmed from a fixed position, zooming in on the scene, and approaching the scene by means of a steadycam. Then, participants underwent a rating task to evaluate their subjective viewing experience. We found that steadycam videos elicited enhanced event-related desynchronization (ERD), suggestive of enhanced neural activity, in the NT group, and a reduced ERD in the autistic group, compared to the other filming conditions. Autistic participants also showed difficulties in returning to baseline mu-power levels after watching videos filmed from a fixed position. Finally, NT reported feeling more comfortable watching videos with movement, whereas autistic participants did not exhibit differences between conditions. We speculated that static, less naturalistic stimuli might impose higher and prolonged cognitive demands on autistic individuals. Understanding these differences might help develop tailored interventions to support perceptual, cognitive, and social processes of autistic people.