A meta-analysis of the n-back task while driving and its effects on cognitive workload

Autor: Jennifer Wittmann, Nikolai von Janczewski, Arnd Engeln, Lutz Krauß, Martin Baumann
Rok vydání: 2021
Předmět:
Zdroj: Transportation Research Part F: Traffic Psychology and Behaviour. 76:269-285
ISSN: 1369-8478
DOI: 10.1016/j.trf.2020.11.014
Popis: This study investigates the effect of the n-back task on cognitive workload while driving. Results of 20 studies with over 800 participants in total show a moderate to high mean effect size. That means the n-back task varies cognitive load while driving in a substantial matter. Further analysis reveals several moderator variables: experiments conducted in a driving simulator showed larger effect sizes than on-road studies. This effect decreases with increasing driving simulator fidelity. Furthermore, the specific driving task assignment moderates the effect: lane change task scenarios result in higher effects than other situations. Regarding the different measurement methods of cognitive workload, subjective questionnaires seem to have very high sensitivity. In contrast, n-back performance measures, detection response task measures, and physiological measurements result in moderate effect sizes, and driving performance measures show reduced sensitivity. Regarding different implementations of the n-back task itself, surprisingly, no moderators are found. Overall, the findings highlight the suitability of the n-back task as a method of inducing cognitive load in transportation research. The moderator analysis gives an overview of different methodological designs and how these designs will affect effect sizes.
Databáze: OpenAIRE