A novel protocol to induce mental fatigue

Hassan, Eleanor K; Jones, Andrew M.; Buckingham, Gavin · 2023 · OpenAlex-citations

DOI: 10.3758/s13428-023-02191-5

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Summary

This study addresses methodological inconsistencies in mental fatigue research, specifically the over-reliance on subjective measures and the low ecological validity of single-task paradigms. The authors argue that previous studies often fail to provide objective evidence of fatigue and use repetitive tasks (e.g., Stroop, n-back) that do not reflect the diverse cognitive demands of real-world scenarios. To resolve these issues, the researchers developed a novel, ecologically valid protocol designed to induce mental fatigue through a battery of diverse cognitive tasks, aiming to demonstrate both increased subjective fatigue and corresponding objective performance decrements. The experimental design involved 45 participants (aged 19–63) who completed a two-hour cognitive task battery. The battery consisted of four distinct tasks targeting different executive functions: the AX-CPT (response inhibition and working memory), a 3-back task (working memory updating), a visual search task (spatial attention), and a mental rotation task (spatial reasoning). Participants completed each task three times for 10 minutes, with the AX-CPT serving as the critical task for performance measurement. Subjective fatigue was assessed using the Brunel Mood Scale (BRUMS) at the beginning and end of the session. Objective performance was measured using the Balanced Integration Score (BIS) for the AX-CPT, which combines reaction time and accuracy to control for speed-accuracy trade-offs. Statistical analysis employed Wilcoxon signed-rank tests to compare pre- and post-battery measures. The results confirmed both primary hypotheses. Participants reported a significant increase in subjective fatigue ratings after completing the battery ($p < 0.001$), with 43 of 45 participants showing an increase. Objectively, task performance in the AX-CPT significantly declined from the beginning to the end of the session ($p = 0.008$), indicating that the cognitive demands were sufficient to impair performance. Exploratory analyses revealed significant decreases in vigor ($p < 0.001$) and significant increases in anger ($p = 0.002$) and confusion ($p = 0.031$). A significant negative correlation was found between changes in vigor and fatigue, suggesting that greater fatigue was associated with lower vigor. The significance of this study lies in its provision of a robust, ecologically valid method for inducing mental fatigue that yields both subjective and objective evidence. By demonstrating that a diverse task battery can reliably induce fatigue and measurable performance decrements, the authors offer a standardized protocol that addresses the heterogeneity and methodological weaknesses of prior research. This approach allows for more consistent investigation into the nature and effects of mental fatigue, facilitating better comparisons across studies and enhancing the applicability of findings to real-world contexts where individuals face varied cognitive demands.

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