Attention demands modulate brain electrical microstates and mental fatigue induced by simulated flight tasks

Abstract Objective. Prolonged engagement in tasks with varying attention demands is thought to elicit distinct forms of mental fatigue, potentially indicating variations in neural activity. This study aimed to investigate the association between mental fatigue and changes in electroencephalogram microstate dynamics during tasks with varying attention demands. Approach. In the present study, we employed a 2 × 2 repeated measures ANOVA to analyze the temporal parameters of four distinct microstates (A, B, C, and D) across different levels of attention demands (high vs. low) and mental fatigue (high vs. low) within a controlled flight simulation task involving 17 college students. Main results. Significant variations in mean durations were observed, with microstates A and B exhibiting shorter durations under high fatigue during low attention demands, while their durations increased under high attention demands. Microstate C showed increased occurrences with high fatigue under low attention demands and decreased occurrences under high attention demands. The duration and occurrence of the microstates exhibited different trends throughout the course of mental fatigue, potentially reflecting distinct fatigue-related processes. Significance. These findings establish a link between different types of mental fatigue and microstate dynamics, contributing to a comprehensive understanding of the neural processing mechanisms underlying mental fatigue.