Relation between Parametric Change of the Workload and Prefrontal Cortex Activity during a Modified Version of the ‘Rock, Paper, Scissors' Task

Abstract

Background/Aims: Modified rock, paper, scissors (RPS) tasks have previously been used in neuroscience to investigate activity of the prefrontal cortex (PFC). In this study, we investigated hemodynamic changes in the PFC using near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) during a modified RPS task in which each subject's successful performance rate was equalized; the workload was increased parametrically in order to reveal the resulting pattern of PFC activation. Methods: The subjects were 20 healthy adults. During RPS, the player uses hand gestures to represent rock, paper, and scissors. Rock beats scissors, paper beats rock, and scissors beats paper. In the modified RPS task, the player is instructed to lose intentionally against the computer hand; the computer goes first and the player follows. The interstimulus interval (ISI) level was adjusted with 11 steps. If the level rose, the ISI decreased and the workload increased parametrically. The maximal level (maxLv: the shortest ISI and the biggest workload) in which a subject could perform the task correctly was determined for every subject during rehearsal of the task prior to the experiment. Lowering the level from the maxLv made the task easier. Hemodynamic changes were measured by NIRS over 4 task levels (maxLv-3, maxLv-2, maxLv-1 and maxLv). Results: The hemodynamic changes in the left lateral PFC and bilateral Brodmann area 6 rose significantly with the increase in workload and presented a linear trend. Conclusion: These results suggest that PFC activation may linearly increase with increased workload during a modified RPS task in which successful performance rates of subjects are equalized.

Wearable functional near infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS): expanding vistas for neurocognitive augmentation

“…Evidence from two other studies supports this claim. Yamauchi et al ( 2013 ) had participants play a modified version of “rock, paper, scissors” against a computer, with the objective to actually lose each hand. The computer presented one of the three hands and the participant had to choose the losing hand.…”

“…Furthermore these decreases were adapted to each participants minimum effective ISI. When workload was manipulated as a function of an individual’s maximum workload, only linear increases in oxygenated hemoglobin were observed in left lateral prefrontal cortex, premotor cortex and supplementary motor area (Yamauchi et al, 2013 ).…”

Changes in Cerebral Hemodynamics during Complex Motor Learning by Character Entry into Touch-Screen Terminals

“…A number of studies have examined cerebral hemodynamics using NIRS during a wide variety of motor activities such as a walking or running [ 16 – 20 ], cycling [ 21 – 23 ], apple peeling [ 24 ], and finger tapping [ 25 – 28 ]. Additionally, researchers have examined cerebral hemodynamics during cognitive tasks such as trail making [ 29 – 32 ], the rock-paper-scissors game [ 33 , 34 ], maze navigation [ 35 ], and sequential finger touching [ 36 , 37 ].…”

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

“…Performance can be boosted by increasing the arousal but only up to a certain point; beyond the point where arousal becomes excessive, performance declines. Converging evidence from previous fNIRS studies suggests that the same law can also be applied to hemodynamics [25], [26]. It has been revealed that the bilateral DLPFC in working memory is associated with task demands [36] and that its activity exhibits a similar inverted U-shaped relationship (as suggested by the Yerkes-Dodson law) with increasing demands of a supervisory control task [37].…”