Assessing Task Load using Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy

Karran, A, Rolon-Merette, T, Stamp, K ORCID: 0000-0002-0351-6825, Fairclough, S ORCID: 0000-0002-7850-5688, Senecal, S, Léger, P-M and Coursa-Ris, CK Assessing Task Load using Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy. In: Information Systems and Neuroscience (NeuroIS Retreat) . (NeuroIS Retreat, 02nd Jun - 04th Jun 2026, Vienna, Austria). (Accepted)

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Abstract

Measuring task load (TL) in complex environments is critical for optimizing human-computer interaction. While functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) offers objective, real-time TL measurement, consensus on optimal cortical markers remains elusive. This study investigated multiregional fNIRS hemodynamics and subjective NASA-TLX scores in 42 adults during a simulated driving task across three difficulty levels. Results showed that subjective TL increased linearly with difficulty. However, fNIRS revealed diverse regional dynamics: frontopolar activation increased linearly, left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex activation decreased, and right premotor regions exhibited non-linear (Ushaped) responses. These findings highlight TL's distributed nature, emphasizing the need for multi-regional measures of TL.

Item Type:	Conference or Workshop Item (Paper)
Subjects:	R Medicine > RC Internal medicine > RC0321 Neuroscience. Biological psychiatry. Neuropsychiatry
Divisions:	Computer Science and Mathematics Psychology (from Sep 2019)
Publisher:	Springer
Date of acceptance:	31 March 2026
Date Deposited:	23 Sep 2026 13:10
Last Modified:	23 Sep 2026 15:25
URI:	https://researchonline.ljmu.ac.uk/id/eprint/29513

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