Mind Wandering Influences EEG Signal in Complex Multimodal Environments

Abstract

The phenomenon of mind wandering (MW), as a family of experiences related to internally directed cognition, heavily influences vigilance evolution. In particular, humans in teleoperations monitoring partially automated fleet before assuming manual control whenever necessary may see their attention drift due to internal sources; as such, it could play an important role in the emergence of out-of-the-loop (OOTL) situations and associated performance problems. To follow, quantify, and mitigate this phenomenon, electroencephalogram (EEG) systems already demonstrated robust results. As MW creates an attentional decoupling, both ERPs and brain oscillations are impacted. However, the factors influencing these markers in complex environments are still not fully understood. In this paper, we specifically addressed the possibility of gradual emergence of attentional decoupling and the differences created by the sensory modality used to convey targets. Eighteen participants were asked to (1) supervise an automated drone performing an obstacle avoidance task (visual task) and (2) respond to infrequent beeps as fast as possible (auditory task). We measured event-related potentials and alpha waves through EEG. We also added a 40-Hz amplitude modulated brown noise to evoke steady-state auditory response (ASSR). Reported MW episodes were categorized between task-related and task-unrelated episodes. We found that N1 ERP component elicited by beeps had lower amplitude during task-unrelated MW, whereas P3 component had higher amplitude during task-related MW, compared with other attentional states. Focusing on parieto-occipital regions, alpha-wave activity was higher during task-unrelated MW compared with others. These results support the decoupling hypothesis for task-unrelated MW but not task-related MW, highlighting possible variations in the “depth” of decoupling depending on MW episodes. Finally, we found no influence of attentional states on ASSR amplitude. We discuss possible reasons explaining why. Results underline both the ability of EEG to track and study MW in laboratory tasks mimicking ecological environments, as well as the complex influence of perceptual decoupling on operators' behavior and, in particular, EEG measures.

The EEG spectral fingerprints of meditation and mind wandering differ between experienced meditators and novices

“…In addition, the spectral profile identified for mind wandering in Rodriguez-Larios & Alaerts (2020) looks highly similar to the one that we associated to drowsiness in the current study (see Figure 5E this paper and Figure 2 in Rodriguez-Larios & Alaerts (2020)). Together, our results support the idea that mind wandering is associated to a relative increase in alpha power in different cognitive tasks (Boudewyn & Carter, 2018;Compton et al, 2019;Gouraud et al, 2021;Jin et al, 2019Jin et al, , 2020 and we hypothesize that previous inconsistencies in the literature could be explained by confounders such as motor preparation, meta-awareness and drowsiness.…”

“…The most consistent finding from studies using experience sampling and EEG during meditation practice is a relative decrease in alpha amplitude in mind wandering relative to states of focused attention (Braboszcz & Delorme, 2011;Brandmeyer & Delorme, 2018;van Son et al, 2019). However, these findings directly contradict previous literature showing that mind wandering during different cognitive tasks is associated to a relative increase in alpha amplitude (Boudewyn & Carter, 2018;Compton et al, 2019;Gouraud et al, 2021;Groot et al, 2021;Jin et al, 2019Jin et al, , 2020.…”

“…attachment to thoughts; Lutz et al, 2015) is necessary. In this way, it is important to underline that although mind wandering has been consistently associated to increased alpha power in a wide variety of cognitive tasks (Boudewyn & Carter, 2018;Compton et al, 2019;Gouraud et al, 2021;Groot et al, 2021;Jin et al, 2019Jin et al, , 2020, three previous studies using experience sampling during meditation practice with non-experienced practitioners showed the opposite pattern of results (i.e. reduced alpha power during mind wandering) (Braboszcz & Delorme, 2011;van Son et al, 2019).…”

Distinct Electrophysiological Signatures of Intentional and Unintentional Mind-Wandering Revealed by Low-Frequency EEG Markers

“…In comparison, neural measures provide a direct window into the dynamics of the neurocognitive processes underlying covert mental states such as mind-wandering. Based on robust markers, the exquisite temporal resolution inherent to electromagnetic measures of brain activity allows for the real-time detection of mental states, opening avenues for the online mitigation of adverse outcomes linked to mind-wandering (Gouraud et al, 2021) and ultimately, the obviation of subjective methods.…”

“…Identifying electrophysiological correlates of mind-wandering has long been a goal within the field with early scalp EEG studies mainly investigating event-related potentials (ERPs). Early potentials such as P1 and N1, which reflect evoked responses to sensory stimuli, have been found to decrease when participants reported being engaged in TUT (Baird et al, 2014; Dong et al, 2021; Gouraud et al, 2021; Julia W. Y. Kam et al, 2010; Martel et al, 2019).…”