@misc{10481/62428,
year = {2020},
month = {3},
url = {http://hdl.handle.net/10481/62428},
abstract = {We aimed to evaluate the effects of mental workload variations, as a function of the road
environment, on the brain activity of army drivers performing combat and non-combat scenarios in a
light multirole vehicle dynamic simulator. Forty-one non-commissioned officers completed three
standardized driving exercises with different terrain complexities (low, medium, and high) while
we recorded their electroencephalographic (EEG) activity. We focused on variations in the theta
EEG power spectrum, a well-known index of mental workload. We also assessed performance and
subjective ratings of task load. The theta EEG power spectrum in the frontal, temporal, and occipital
areas were higher during the most complex scenarios. Performance (number of engine stops) and
subjective data supported these findings. Our findings strengthen previous results found in civilians
on the relationship between driver mental workload and the theta EEG power spectrum. This suggests
that EEG activity can give relevant insight into mental workload variations in an objective, unbiased
fashion, even during real training and/or operations. The continuous monitoring of the warfighter not
only allows instantaneous detection of over/underload but also might provide online feedback to the
system (either automated equipment or the crew) to take countermeasures and prevent fatal errors.},
organization = {This work was supported by Santander Bank–CEMIX UGR-MADOC (grant number PINs2018-15 to
CDP & LLDS) and the Centro Universitario de la Defensa–Zaragoza (grant numbers 2015-05 and 2017-03 to MVS).
Additional support was obtained from the Unit of Excellence on Brain, Behavior, and Health (SC2), funded by the
Excellence actions program of the University of Granada. The funding organizations had no role in the design
or conduct of this research. Research by LLDS is supported by the Ramón y Cajal fellowship program from the
Spanish State Research Agency (RYC-2015-17483).},
publisher = {MDPI},
keywords = {Brain activity},
keywords = {Cognition},
keywords = {Driving simulation},
keywords = {EEG},
keywords = {Humvee},
keywords = {Neuroergonomics},
keywords = {Tanks},
title = {EEG Theta Power Activity Reflects Workload among Army Combat Drivers: An Experimental Study},
doi = {doi:10.3390/brainsci10040199},
author = {Díaz Piedra, Carolina and Di Stasi, Leandro Luigi},
}