Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy Adaptive Cognitive Training System (FACTS) for Cognitive Underload and Overload Prevention: A Feasibility Study

Mismatch between mental workload and working memory capacity can cause mental underload or overload. Adopting the Yerkes-Dodson law as the framework, functional near-infrared spectroscopy adaptive cognitive training system (FACTS) has been developed, whereby the mental workload shall never exceed an individual's capacity, to prevent those unintended conditions. It works by monitoring mental workload in real time and performing dynamic difficulty adjustment accordingly. The feasibility study involved thirty-seven healthy participants undergoing mental arithmetic task with and without FACTS. Without FACTS, the participants not only showed higher NASA Task Load Index scores but also poorer task performance and a significant drop in DLPFC activation towards the end of the task, signifying more severe mental overload. Conversely, they continued to exhibit manifestation of productive learning with FACTS despite showing early signs of mental overload. The study results demonstrated that it is feasible to implement the concept of FACTS. The actual gains from cognitive training will be investigated in future longitudinal study.