Vigilance Performance Research Articles

Temporal fluctuations in vigilance and neural networks after sleep deprivation.

Vigilance instability in the sleep-deprived state was deemed to result from the imbalance in thalamic-FPN-DMN circuits (FPN: frontoparietal network; DMN: default mode network), but the behavioural correlation of this neural hypothesis is still unclear. To address this issue, we applied dynamic functional connectivity (DFC) analysis on the task-based fMRI data and detected high arousal state (HAS) and low arousal state (LAS). Relative to HAS, LAS demonstrated higher positive connectivity within task-positive networks (TPN), attenuated TPN-DMN anti-correlation, and greater anti-correlation between cerebral and subcortico-cerebellar networks. Critically, DFC differences between HAS and LAS were correlated with the ongoing vigilance performance in the sleep-deprived state. The current findings confirmed a direct link between vigilance instability and DFC in the thalamic-FPN-DMN circuits. In particular, we postulated that the integration within task-related system and segregation between task-related system and the subcortico-cerebellar system might be the critical neural markers underlying vigilance instability in the sleep-deprived state.

Individual Differences in Dispositional Mindfulness Predict Attentional Networks and Vigilance Performance

ObjectivesResearch addressing the relationship between dispositional mindfulness and objective attention performance remains inconclusive, partly because previous studies used sample sizes possibly leading to underpowered designs. Here, we examined this relationship in a large sample using the ANTI-Vea: a novel cognitive-behavioral task that simultaneously assesses the classic attentional networks—phasic alertness, orienting, executive control—and both the executive and arousal components of vigilance.MethodsTwo hundred nineteen meditation-naïve participants completed the study. Correlational analyses using Kendall’s Tau were performed between FFMQ scores and ANTI-Vea outcomes. Additional subsidiary correlations were performed between the FFMQ and two self-report measures assessing subjective attentional control and mind-wandering. Benjamini-Hochberg was applied to control de type I error rate. Internal consistency reliability indices were estimated for all measures used to aid the interpretation of the correlational results. ResultsHigher non-reactivity predicted overall faster reaction times and higher accuracy in attentional networks trials. Higher non-reactivity, as well as higher FFMQ total score, predicted faster reaction time and fewer lapses in arousal vigilance trials, the latter also being negatively associated with describe scores. The magnitude of the correlations ranged from τb = .103 to τb = .119. We found no association between FFMQ scores and executive control or executive vigilance.ConclusionsOur results indicate that dispositional mindfulness is linked to improved global attentional and arousal vigilance performance, being non-reactivity to inner experience the key facet driving the association. The absence of association to executive processes is discussed based on the high cognitive demands of the ANTI-Vea task.Pretrial RegistrationOpen Science Framework, https://osf.io/gb6c7

Anodal tDCS Over the Left Frontal Eye Field Improves Sustained Visual Search Performance.

Monotonous and repetitive tasks cause vigilance, or sustained attention decrement, which possibly leads to irreparable accident consequences in the aerospace and nuclear industry. Buffering the decrement of vigilance in visual search tasks is essential for cognitive enhancement and ergonomic research. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) applied to the left frontal eye field (FEF) to improve the performance of the sustained visual search. Twenty-seven healthy participants received anodal and sham tDCS of 2 mA for 28.8 min and completed a visual search task lasting for approximately 40 min without any break. For the online effect, results showed that the d' hit rate and accuracy under anodal tDCS were significantly higher than those under sham conditions during 0-19.2 min time intervals. For the after-effect, compared with sham, anodal tDCS caused significantly higher d' in the 10 min after completing the tDCS. Our findings suggest that anodal tDCS over the left FEF could effectively mitigate the decline of visual vigilance performance by buffering cognitive resource depletion.

Neurocognitive impairment in night and shift workers: a meta-analysis of observational studies

ObjectiveShift work is an essential element of modern labour, ensuring ideal conditions of service for today’s economy and society. Despite the beneficial properties, its impact on the neurobehavioural performance of...

Physical Exercise Effects on University Students’ Attention: An EEG Analysis Approach

Physically active breaks (AB) are currently being proposed as an interesting tool to improve students’ attention. Reviews and meta-analyses confirm their effect on attention, but also warned about the sparse evidence based on vigilance and university students. Therefore, this pilot study aimed to (a) determine the effects of AB in comparison with passive breaks on university students’ vigilance and (b) to validate an analysis model based on machine learning algorithms in conjunction with a multiparametric model based on electroencephalography (EEG) signal features. Through a counterbalanced within-subject experimental study, six university students (two female; mean age = 25.67, STD = 3.61) had their vigilance performances (i.e., response time in Psycho-Motor Vigilance Task) and EEG measured, before and after a lecture with an AB and another lecture with a passive break. A multiparametric model based on the spectral power, signal entropy and response time has been developed. Furthermore, this model, together with different machine learning algorithms, shows that for the taken signals there are significant differences after the AB lesson, implying an improvement in attention. These differences are most noticeable with the SVM with RBF kernel and ANNs with F1-score of 85% and 88%, respectively. In conclusion, results showed that students performed better on vigilance after the lecture with AB. Although limited, the evidence found could help researchers to be more accurate in their EEG analyses and lecturers and teachers to improve their students’ attentions in a proper way.

Vigilance Performance Declines Faster When Monitoring for a Signal in Two Modalities Compared to One

Vigilance Performance Declines Faster When Monitoring for a Signal in Two Modalities Compared to One

Predicting vigilance vulnerability during 1 and 2 weeks of sleep restriction with baseline performance metrics.

We attempted to predict vigilance performance in adolescents during partial sleep deprivation using task summary metrics and drift diffusion modelling measures (DDM) derived from baseline vigilance performance. In the Need for Sleep studies, 57 adolescents (age = 15-19 years) underwent two baseline nights of 9-h time-in-bed (TIB), followed by two cycles of weekday sleep-restricted nights (5-h or 6.5-h TIB) and weekend recovery nights (9-h TIB). Vigilance was assessed daily with the Psychomotor Vigilance Task (PVT), with the number of lapses (response times ≥ 500 ms) as the primary outcome measure. The two DDM predictors were drift rate, which quantifies the speed of information accumulation and determines how quickly an individual derives a decision response, and non-decision time range, which indicates within-subject variation in physical, non-cognitive responding, e.g. motor actions. In the first week of sleep curtailment, faster accumulation of lapses was significantly associated with more lapses at baseline (p = .02), but not the two baseline DDM metrics: drift and non-decision time range (p > .07). On the other hand, faster accumulation of lapses and greater increment in reaction time variability from the first to the second week of sleep restriction were associated with lower drift (p < .007) at baseline. Among adolescents, baseline PVT lapses can predict inter-individual differences in vigilance vulnerability during 1 week of sleep restriction on weekdays, while drift more consistently predicts vulnerability during more weeks of sleep curtailment. Effects of Napping in Sleep-Restricted Adolescents, clinicaltrials.gov, NCT02838095. The Cognitive and Metabolic Effects of Sleep Restriction in Adolescents (NFS4), clinicaltrials.gov, NCT03333512.

A systematic review of sleep deprivation and neurobehavioral function in young adults

AimTo examine the effect of sleep deprivation (total and partial) on neurobehavioral function compared to a healthy sleep opportunity (7‐9 h) in young adults 18–30 years. BackgroundMore than one-third of young adults are sleep deprived, which negatively affects a range of neurobehavioral functions, including psychomotor vigilance performance (cognitive), affect, and daytime sleepiness. MethodsA systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on sleep deprivation and neurobehavioral function. Multiple electronic databases (Cochrane Central Registry of Controlled Trials [CENTRAL], PubMed, PsycINFO, CINAHL, and Web of Science) were searched for relevant RCTs published in English from the establishment of each database to December 31, 2020. ResultsNineteen RCTs were selected (N = 766, mean age = 23.7 ± 3.1 years; 44.8% female). Seven were between-person (5 were parallel-group designs and 2 had multiple arms), and 12 were within-person designs (9 were cross over and 3 used a Latin square approach). Total sleep deprivation had the strongest detrimental effect on psychomotor vigilance performance, with the largest effects on vigilance tasks in young adults in the included studies. ConclusionAcute sleep deprivation degrades multiple dimensions of neurobehavioral function including psychomotor vigilance performance, affect, and daytime sleepiness in young adults. The effect of chronic sleep deprivation on the developing brain and associated neurobehavioral functions in young adults remains unclear.

Effect of Physical Exercise Program Based on Active Breaks on Physical Fitness and Vigilance Performance.

Simple SummaryOur study aimed to analyze the effects of 8 weeks physical training on vigilance performance in high school students. Forty-two healthy students were assigned for convenience and matched into two groups, a Control Group (CG) and an Active-Break Group (ABG). The participants were assessed before the training program using the Alpha-Fitness test battery and Psychomotor Vigilance Task (PVT) to observe their physical fitness and vigilance performance. Compared with the pre-test, significant different were observed in the post-test PVT. Results showed a main effect of ABG responding faster than students in the CG group. This demonstrated that 8 weeks physical training have an effect on vigilance performance and improve the efficiency of vigilance in high school students.The scientific literature has shown the beneficial effects of chronic Physical Exercise (PE) on a wide range of tasks that involve high-order functioning. For this reason, the present study aimed to investigate the effects of active breaks on physical fitness and vigilance performance in high school students through eight weeks of physical training. A total of 42 healthy students (age = 16.50 ± 0.59 years; height = 171.08 ± 8.07 cm; weight = 67.10 ± 13.76 kg) from one Andalusian high school (Spain) were assigned for convenience and matched into two groups, a Control Group (CG) and an Active-Break Group (ABG). The ABG performed two active breaks (based on strength and self-loading exercises) during the school day, first at 10:00 a.m. and second at 12:30 p.m. The participants were assessed before and after the training program using the Alpha-Fitness test battery and the Psychomotor Vigilance Task (PVT). Significant differences were observed in the post-training PVT results, compared with the pretraining PVT, showing ABG responding faster than CG. Thus, the presents study demonstrated that eight weeks of physical training affects vigilance performance (compared to CG) and improves the efficiency of vigilance in high school students, contributing to enhancement of quality of education.

Effects of 2-hour nighttime nap on melatonin concentration and alertness during 12-hour simulated night work.

A nighttime nap is expected to mitigate melatonin suppression during night work by blocking light input to the retina, but it is unclear. In the present study, we investigated the effects of a nap break on melatonin level, subjective sleepiness, and vigilance performance during simulated night work. Eleven healthy young males (mean ± SD age: 22.2 ± 4.1 years) participated in counterbalanced crossover design experiments with two conditions (nap vs. no nap). The subjects performed 12-hour simulated night work from 21:00 to 09:00 h (illuminance: ∼500 lx). Subjects with a nap condition took a nap for 2 hours in a dark room from 03:00, while subjects with a no nap condition continued the simulated night work. The results showed that immediately after the 2-h nap break, the melatonin level at 05:00 h temporarily recovered from light-induced melatonin suppression during the simulated night work but significantly suppressed again at 07:00 and 09:00 h. Subjective alertness and vigilance performance were impaired immediately after the nap break but subsequently enhanced. The results suggest that a single nap break for 2 hours could be a strategy to enhance alertness during the last part of night shift but inadequate for mitigating melatonin suppression.

If You’re Happy and You Know it Stay Alert: The Effects of Lighting on Vigilance Performance and Affective State

Vigilance, or sustained attention tasks involve detecting critical signals, embedded amid more frequent neutral signals, over an extended period of time. A decline in performance, engagement, and arousal over time, as well as high workload and stress, are common outcomes of such tasks. Exposure to broad-spectrum or short wavelength bright light has been found to positively impact alertness, speed of information processing, and mood, but has not been extensively explored in the vigilance domain. The present study explored whether a light therapy lamp could mitigate the negative vigilance outcomes found in both performance and affective state. Results indicated that the therapy light did not prevent a decline in detection of critical signals over time, nor significantly impact workload, sleepiness, or subjective stress state compared to a dim light condition. However, mood questionnaire results suggest that lighting may impact separate constructs of arousal and tiredness, warranting further research.

Effects of Spatial Uncertainty on Auditory Vigilance Performance and Cerebral Hemodynamics

Effects of Spatial Uncertainty on Auditory Vigilance Performance and Cerebral Hemodynamics

‘I need a break’: the effect of choice of rest break duration on vigilance

Vigilance is the ability to sustain attention for an extended period of time and to respond to infrequently occurring critical signals. One of the most replicable findings within the vigilance literature is the performance decrement; the decline in performance as time on task increases. In an effort to attenuate the decrement, and decrease the workload and stress associated with vigilance, the present study investigated the role of choice of rest break duration on vigilance performance, perceived workload, and stress. Participants were assigned to one of three conditions: (1) choice condition, (2) no-choice condition (yoked-control), and (3) a no-break control condition. Participants completed a sensory vigilance task and common measures of workload and stress. A vigilance decrement was observed in all conditions. Participants in the choice condition exhibited more conservative responses and fewer false alarms than the no-choice condition. Across all conditions, task engagement and worry decreased, and distress increased. Practitioner Summary: This study shows the impact of rest breaks and autonomy on vigilance task performance. The findings suggest that resource theory is a plausible explanation for the vigilance decrement. Additionally, providing a choice in rest break length changes the operator’s criterion following the break. Abbreviations: TSA: transportation security administration; SART: sustained attention to response task; ERP: event-related potential; S-DT: self-determination theory; ISI: interstimulus interval; DSSQ: dundee stress state questionnaire; CFQ: cognitive failures questionnaire; BP: boredom proneness; NASA-TLX: NASA task load index; IMI: intrinsic motivation inventory

056 Effects of Simulated Shift Schedules on Visual Search

Abstract Introduction Visual search is important in many operational tasks, such as passive sonar monitoring in naval operations. Shift work can contribute to fatigue and task performance impairment; in particular, backward rotating shift schedules have been shown to impair vigilant attention performance. However, the impact on visual search performance, above and beyond impaired vigilant attention, is unknown. We investigated the effects of two distinct shift work schedules using a visual search task with properties of real-life visual search performance. Methods N=13 adult males (ages 18–39) completed a 6-day/5-night laboratory study with an acclimation day, four simulated shift days, and a recovery day. Shift days involved either a 5h-on/15h-off backward rotating schedule (n=8) or a 3h-on/9h-off fixed schedule (n=5). The visual search task was performed once per shift at varying time of day depending on shift. Participants viewed search arrays where stimuli consisted of colored letters of different shapes. Over three trial blocks of 24 trials each, participants determined if a target was present or absent among 1, 5, 15, or 30 distractors. Similarity between targets and distractors was manipulated between blocks, such that targets differed from distractors by color only, shape only, or either color or shape but not both. For each distinct target feature block, and separately for presence or absence of a target, slopes of response times regressed against number of stimuli were calculated to quantify visual search rates. Mixed-effects ANOVA was used to analyze visual search rates by shift schedule and shift day. Results There were no significant effects of shift schedule (all p&amp;gt;0.30), shift day (all p&amp;gt;0.13), or their interaction (all p&amp;gt;0.22) on visual search rates. Conclusion Previous work showed degraded vigilant attention in the shift schedules considered here, especially in the backward rotating schedule, which may compromise operational performance. However, while our sample may have been too small to have adequate statistical power, we failed to identify specific impairments in visual search with statistical significance. It remains to be determined whether greater levels of fatigue, such as could be induced by total sleep deprivation, would reveal significant visual search deficits. Support (if any) Naval Postgraduate School award N62271-13-M-1228

Fidelity of Information Processing on a Psychomotor Vigilance Task Predicts Changes in Self-Reported Sleepiness Ratings.

IntroductionDaytime sleepiness is a common problem. Although sleepiness is primarily assessed at the self-report unit of analysis, factors that contribute to an individual’s experience and report of sleepiness remain poorly understood. While sleepiness is known to impact vigilance performance, the impact of vigilance performance on sleepiness reports is less well understood. We aimed to explore how performance on a psychomotor vigilance task (PVT) relates to changes in self-reported sleepiness in a rested condition.MethodsParticipants were 66 adults (Mdn=23, range 18–49 years old), 47% female, 88% white, with a wide range of insomnia symptoms. Participants rated their sleepiness on a scale from 1 (not sleepy) to 10 (extremely sleepy) at the start (pre) and the end (post) of a 10-minute computerized PVT. Ordinal regression determined whether mean reciprocal reaction time, a measure of overall performance, or the log-transformed signal-to-noise ratio (LSNR), a measure of fidelity of information processing, predicted post-sleepiness, adjusting for pre-sleepiness, insomnia, and potential confounds.ResultsLower LSNR predicted greater change in sleepiness (pre-to-post PVT) and higher post-sleepiness even after adjusting for pre-sleepiness, mean reciprocal reaction time, insomnia, and other potential confounds (p<0.05).DiscussionWhen adjusting for insomnia symptoms and potential confounds, participants with lower fidelity of information processing reported higher sleepiness than they had reported at the start of the PVT. Possible mechanisms and explanations are discussed in relation to a 3-factor model of sleep-wake states. This line of research may contribute to innovative approaches to assessing and treating sleepiness.

Time course of cortical response complexity during extended wakefulness and its differential association with vigilance in young and older individuals

Characterization of the complexity of electroencephalogram (EEG) responses has provided important insights in cognitive function as well as in the brain bases of consciousness and vigilance. Whether brain response complexity changes during prolonged wakefulness and sleep deprivation –when vigilance level considerably varies– is not fully elucidated yet. In the present study, we repeatedly assessed EEG responses to transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) over 34 h of sleep deprivation under constant routine conditions in healthy younger (N = 13; 5 women; 18–30 y) and older (N = 12; 6 women; 50–70 y) individuals, while they were performing a vigilance task. Response complexity was computed both at the global (all scalp sensors) and local (sensors surrounding TMS hotspot) levels using the Lempel-Ziv algorithm. Response complexity was significantly higher in the older compared to the young volunteers over the entire protocol. Global complexity response significantly changed with time spent awake, with an increasing trend from the beginning to the middle of the biological night, followed by a decreasing trend from the middle of the biological night to the following afternoon. An unexpected different link between vigilance performance and brain response complexity was detected across age groups: higher response complexity was associated with lower performance in the older group, particularly in the morning sessions. These findings show that cortical activity complexity changes with vigilance variation, as experienced during sleep deprivation and circadian misalignment, in two age groups, with no evident time course difference across age-groups. Aside from classical linear EEG analyses, computation of Lempel-Ziv complexity provides additional insights on the neurophysiology of the processes associated with vigilance and their modifications throughout ageing.

Altered frontal connectivity after sleep deprivation predicts sustained attentional impairment: A resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging study.

A series of studies have shown that sleep loss impairs one's capability for sustained attention. However, the underlying neurobiological mechanism linking sleep loss with sustained attention has not been elucidated. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of sleep deprivation on the resting-state brain and explored whether the magnitude of vigilance impairment after acute sleep deprivation can be predicted by measures of spontaneous fluctuations and functional connectivity. We implemented resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging with 42 participants under both normal sleep and 24-hr sleep-deprivation conditions. The amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations (ALFF) and functional connectivity was used to investigate the neurobiological change caused by sleep deprivation, and the psychomotor vigilance task (PVT) was used to measure sustained attention in each state. Correlation analysis was used to investigate the relationship between the change in ALFF/functional connectivity and vigilance performance. Sleep deprivation induced significant reductions in ALFF in default mode network nodes and frontal-parietal network nodes, while inducing significant increments of ALFF in the bilateral thalamus, motor cortex, and visual cortex. The increased ALFF in the visual cortex was correlated with increased PVT lapses. Critically, decreased frontal-thalamus connectivity was correlated with increased PVT lapses, while increased frontal-visual connectivity was correlated with increased PVT lapses. The findings indicated that acute sleep deprivation induced a robust alteration in the resting brain, and sustained attentional impairment after sleep deprivation could be predicted by altered frontal connectivity with crucial neural nodes of stimulus input, such as the thalamus and visual cortex.

A Systematic Review of The Semantic Vigilance Literature

The present study sought to review and summarize the extant literature on semantic vigilance, or lexical vigilance, to benchmark the performance, stress, and workload associated with such tasks. This review also seeks to better define and describe semantic vigilance in relation to the vigilance taxonomy (Parasuraman &amp; Davies, 1977; Parasuraman, Warm, &amp; Dember, 1987). In a database search, 5499 records were identified. After removing duplicates and screening articles based on the inclusion criteria, 8 full-text articles on semantic vigilance were retained for further analysis. The results of this review indicated that semantic vigilance tasks, while short in length, reliably produce a traditional vigilance decrement that is associated with high workload and low stress state scores. While a nascent field of research, this review identified several gaps within the field including limitations in participant selection and inclusion, a lack of application to real world semantic vigilance tasks, and limited variability in the stimuli used for measuring semantic vigilance performance over time.

Disrupted Anti-correlation Between the Default and Dorsal Attention Networks During Hyperthermia Exposure: An fMRI Study.

Environmental hyperthermia is a common risk factor for occupational safety in many situations due to decreased vigilance performances. Previously, we have reported that decreased resting-state functional connectivity within the default mode network (DMN) and decreased activations in dorsal attention network (DAN) such as dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) were correlated with selective attention deficits during hyperthermia. However, whether the inherent functionally organized anti-correlation between the DMN and DAN would contribute to the behavioral deficits remains unclear. In this study, we collected the resting-state fMRI data of 25 participants during two simulated thermal conditions: normothermic condition (25°C for 1 h) and hyperthermic condition (50°C for 1 h). Using group independent component analysis (ICA), we investigated the functional connectivity within the DMN and DAN, as well as the anti-correlations between both networks. Paired comparisons revealed that decreased intranetwork functional connectivity in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC)/anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) in the DMN contributed to executive control performance during hyperthermia using multivariate linear regression analysis. Paired comparison on the DAN showed that increased one in the posterior part of the middle and inferior temporal gyrus nearby the temporal–parietal junction area contributed to preserved alerting performance. Lastly but most importantly, we found that decreased correlation between mPFC in the DMN and intraparietal sulcus (IPS) area in the DAN contributed to the executive control deficit, suggesting a weaker intrinsic anti-correlation between DMN and DAN during hyperthermia. These findings indicated that a functional reorganized architecture of DMN and DAN might provide a potential neural basis of the selective deficits for different cognitive-demand attention tasks in high-temperature environments.

Can biofeedback-based training alleviate fatigue and vigilance performance in fatigued MS patients?

ABSTRACT MS related fatigue might be related to autonomous nervous system (ANS) dysfunctions or to inflammation related vagal (hyper-) activation. Consequently, influencing ANS status may lead to relieve of fatigue. We used two opposite biofeedback interventions to either increase sympathetic (“self-alert training”, SAT) or parasympathetic activation (“progressive muscle relaxation”, PMR). We recorded fatigue status of patients before and after a challenging vigilance task, their behavioural performance on this task, their skin conductance response (SCR), and parameters indicating parasympathetic activity concerning heart rate variability (HRV). We repeated these recordings after the biofeedback training sessions. Patients of the SAT group were able to learn to increase their SCR voluntarily. Patients of the PMR group showed increasing parameters indicating parasympathetic modulation of the HRV. The vigilance task increased their feeling of fatigue. However, there was no effect of biofeedback training on either fatigue status or performance on the vigilance task. Our results show that MS patients can learn to change voluntarily their ANS activity using biofeedback instructions based on SCR and this can be used in future studies to test the postulated link between ANS and fatigue. However, in this experimental intervention we were unable to document a relation between ANS activity and fatigue. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03268187.