Alan T. Pope

Biocybernetic system evaluates indices of operator engagement in automated task

A biocybernetic system has been developed as a method to evaluate automated flight deck concepts for compatibility with human capabilities. A biocybernetic loop is formed by adjusting the mode of operation of a task set (e.g., manual/automated mix) based on electroencephalographic (EEG) signals reflecting an operators engagement in the task set. A critical issue for the loop operation is the selection of features of the EEG to provide an index of engagement upon which to base decisions to adjust task mode. Subjects were run in the closed-loop feedback configuration under four candidate and three experimental control definitions of an engagement index. The temporal patterning of system mode switching was observed for both positive and negative feedback of the index. The indices were judged on the basis of their relative strength in exhibiting expected feedback control system phenomena (stable operation under negative feedback and unstable operation under positive feedback). Of the candidate indices evaluated in this study, an index constructed according to the formula, beta power/(alpha power + theta power), reflected task engagement best.

A Closed-Loop System for Examining Psychophysiological Measures for Adaptive Task Allocation

A closed-loop system was evaluated for its efficacy in using psychophysiological indexes to moderate workload. Participants were asked to perform either 1 or 3 tasks from the Multiattribute Task Battery and complete the NASA Task Load Index after each trial. An electroencephalogram (EEG) was sampled continuously while they performed the tasks, and an EEG index (beta/alpha plus theta) was derived. The system made allocation decisions as a function of the level of operator engagement based on the value of the EEG index. The results of the study demonstrated that it was possible to moderate an operators level of engagement through a closed-loop system driven by the operators own EEG. In addition, the system had a significant impact on behavioral, subjective, and psychophysiological correlates of workload as task load increased. The theoretical and practical implications of these results for adaptive automation are discussed.

Effects of a psychophysiological system for adaptive automation on performance, workload, and the event-related potential P300 component

The present study examined the effects of an electroencephalographic- (EEG-) based system for adaptive automation on tracking performance and workload. In addition, event-related potentials (ERPs) to a secondary task were derived to determine whether they would provide an additional degree of workload specificity. Participants were run in an adaptive automation condition, in which the system switched between manual and automatic task modes based on the value of each individuals own EEG engagement index; a yoked control condition; or another control group, in which task mode switches followed a random pattern. Adaptive automation improved performance and resulted in lower levels of workload. Further, the P300 component of the ERP paralleled the sensitivity to task demands of the performance and subjective measures across conditions. These results indicate that it is possible to improve performance with a psychophysiological adaptive automation system and that ERPs may provide an alternative means for distinguishing among levels of cognitive task demand in such systems. Actual or potential applications of this research include improved methods for assessing operator workload and performance.

On the interaction of hypnotizability and negative affect in chronic pain. Implications for the somatization of trauma.

The high risk model of threat perception predicts that high hypnotizability is a risk factor for trauma-related somatization. It is hypothesized that high hypnotizability can increase experimentally induced threat or negative affect, as measured by skin conductance level, in a linear or dose-response manner. This hypothesized interaction of hypnotic ability and negative affect was found in a consecutive series of 118 adult patients with chronic pain symptoms. Larger increases in skin conductance levels during cognitive threat were significantly related to higher levels of hypnotizability. In addition, individuals with high hypnotizability retained higher skin conductance levels than individuals with low hypnotizability after stress. The clinical implications of the interaction of hypnotizability and negative affect during threat perception and delayed recovery from threat perception are discussed in terms of cognitive mechanisms in the etiology and therapy of trauma-related dissociative disorders.

Identification of hazardous awareness states in monitoring environments

A state identification procedure and a model for predicting aerospace crew/system combinations that interact to produce hazardous states are described. This procedure in conjunction with the model provide a capability for evaluating the design of advanced flight deck automation concepts based on the pilots ability to maintain effective states of awareness. The model describes individual and situational factors that affect the likelihood that persons in operational settings will experience hazardous states of awareness.

Physiological Self-Regulation and Adaptive Automation

Adaptive automation has been proposed as a solution to current problems of human-automation interaction. Past research has shown the potential of this advanced form of automation to enhance pilot engagement and lower cognitive workload. However, there have been concerns voiced regarding issues, such as automation surprises, associated with the use of adaptive automation. This study examined the use of psychophysiological self-regulation training with adaptive automation that may help pilots deal with these problems through the enhancement of cognitive resource management skills. Eighteen participants were assigned to 3 groups (self-regulation training, false feedback, and control) and performed resource management, monitoring, and tracking tasks from the Multiple Attribute Task Battery. The tracking task was cycled between 3 levels of task difficulty (automatic, adaptive aiding, manual) on the basis of the electroencephalogram-derived engagement index. The other two tasks remained in automatic mode that had a single automation failure. Those participants who had received self-regulation training performed significantly better and reported lower National Aeronautics and Space Administration Task Load Index scores than participants in the false feedback and control groups. The theoretical and practical implications of these results for adaptive automation are discussed.

Biocybernetic Adaptation as Biofeedback Training Method

A method developed for adapting an automated flight control system to user state has been applied to the process of biofeedback training. This repurposing enables alternative mechanisms for delivering physiological information feedback to the trainee via a method referred to as physiological modulation. These mechanisms employ reinforcement principles to motivate adherence to the biofeedback training regime, to foster interactions among users and to enhance the experience of immersion in video game entertainment. The approach has implications for a broader dissemination of biofeedback training. This chapter will introduce the traditional biofeedback training method and its clinical applications, followed by a discussion of how biocybernetic adaptation can be applied to the biofeedback training method. This will be followed by a description of different methods of realising this self-regulation technology and where the technology may go in the future.

Observation of a Paradoxical Temperature Increase During Cognitive Stress in Some Chronic Pain Patients

A total of 224 chronic pain somatoform disorder patients without obvious pathophysiology or psychopathology were found to have colder hands than nonpatients. A paradoxical temperature increase (PTI) in response to a cognitive stressor (mental arithmetic) was noted in a subset of these chronic pain patients. Patients were defined as “PTI” responders if, during cognitive stress, an increase in digital temperature occurred over a prior eyes closed resting condition. It was found that 49.4% of males and 42.6% of females in a total sample of 224 patients demonstrated PTI. The PTI patients had significantly colder hands than non-PTI patients prior to stress. A concurrent SCL measure of sympathetic activation found no difference between the PTI and non-PTI groups either at baseline or during cognitive stress. It appears from this data that PTI is specific to the peripheral vascular system of these patients and may be a marker of psychophysiological dissociation or trauma blocked from consciousness.

Interpersonal biocybernetics: connecting through social psychophysiology

One embodiment of biocybernetic adaptation is a human-computer interaction system designed such that physiological signals modulate the effect that control of a task by other means, usually manual control, has on performance of the task. Such a modulation system enables a variety of human-human interactions based upon physiological self-regulation performance. These interpersonal interactions may be mixes of competition and cooperation for simulation training and/or videogame entertainment.

Improving Human Health and Physical Capabilities

The second NBIC theme is concerned with means to strengthen the physical or biological capabilities of individuals. The panel’s work dovetailed with that of the first panel in the area of human cognition, especially the exciting and challenging field of brain performance. The brain,after all, is an organ of the human body and is the physical basis for that dynamic system of memory and cognition we call the mind. An extremely complex brain is the feature of human biology that distinguishes us from other animals, but all the other tissues and organs of the body are also essential to our existence and overall performance, and they thus deserve close scientific and technological attention.