Impact of different auditory environments on task performance and EEG activity
Year: 2024
Type: article
Abstract: Mental workload could affect human performance. An inappropriate workload level, whether too high or too low, leads to discomfort and decreased task performance. Auditory stimuli have been shown to act as an emotional medium to influence the workload. For example, the ‘Mozart effect’ has been shown to enhance performance in spatial reasoning tasks. However, the impact of auditory stimuli on task performance and brain activity remains unclear. This study examined the effects of three different environments—quiet, music, and white noise—on task performance and EEG activities. The N-back task was employed to induce mental workload, and the Psychomotor Vigilance Task assessed participants’ alertness. We proposed a novel, statistically-based method to construct the brain functional network, avoiding issues associated with subjective threshold selection. This method systematically analyzed the connectivity patterns under different environments. Our analysis revealed that white noise negatively affected participants, primarily impacting brain activity in high-frequency ranges. This study provided deeper insights into the relationship between auditory stimuli and mental workload, offering a robust framework for future research on mental workload regulation. • Study setup and purpose: The study investigated the effects of various auditory environments on task performance, using the N-back task to induce mental workload and the Psychomotor Vigilance Task to assess alertness. • EEG and brain activity: The study introduced a novel method for constructing the brain functional network from EEG data. This method relied on statistical testing to analyze connectivity patterns, which helped overcome issues with subjective threshold selection in traditional analysis. • Impact on performance: The study suggested that white noise adversely affected task performance, particularly impacting high-frequency brain activity. In contrast, music and quiet environments either enhanced or did not significantly affect performance and alertness. • Physiological and behavioral insights: The study provided insights into the physiological and behavioral impacts of auditory stimuli, noting significant effects on alertness and cognitive performance depending on the type of auditory environment. • Implications and future research: The study suggested that tailored auditory environments could potentially optimize cognitive performance and workplace efficiency. Future studies could explore the long-term effects of auditory stimuli on cognitive health and performance.
Source: Brain Research Bulletin
Authors: Zhen Xue, Wenxiao Zhong, Yong Cao, Shuang Liu, Xingwei An
Language: English
Topic: Noise Effects and Management
Subfield: Speech and Hearing
Field: Health Professions
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,890
OpenAlex ID: W4404802079