I think, therefore I hit: EEG parameters predict performance in complex cognitive tasks

Abstract

In recent years, operator state assessment has gained much attention in the aviation domain. The ability to assess or even predict performance from behavioral or physiological data offers the possibility to tailor training schedules and assistance systems to the human operators' needs. Yet, to date, there is still no valid or reliable method for such an assessment. In the present study, we present evidence that brain activity recorded via electroencephalography (EEG) can be used to predict complex cognitive task performance. 26 participants performed multiple rounds of a dual n-back task and the complex Space Fortress Game while their brain activity was recorded via EEG. Results from multiple linear regression analyses indicate that Space Fortress Game performance could be predicted reasonably well from EEG Power Spectral Density parameters from the same game, a previous game and from the dual n-back task. Our findings show that it is possible to use data from task training and even from dissimilar, less complex tasks to predict complex task performance (in offline analyses after data collection). They also underline the utility of using EEG measurements for operator state monitoring.