Application of quantitative EEG analysis to workload assessment in an advanced aircraft simulator

A fully portable quantitative EEG assessment system was used to evaluate workload in an advanced technology aircraft simulator. Air refueling and landing approach tasks were each performed at two difficulty levels in 15 Air Force pilots. Averaged and trended EEG spectral data were compared in the 8-12 Hz band to identify functional requirements for increased workload within and between tasks. A progressive suppression of 8-12 Hz activity at medial and right parietal sites accompanied increased workload in the air refueling task, while a sustained suppression at right and left temporal sites was associated with increased workload in the landing task. These findings suggest a potential electrophysiological index for workload. They also identify specific and differential cortical responses to visual integration in air refueling and working memory in ILS approach as primary correlates of the cognitive requirements for these tasks in these subjects.