PSYCHOPHYSIOLOGICAL CHANGES DURING A VDU REPETITIVE TASK

During a prolonged (120 min) data-entry task on a VDU (Visual Display Unit) the progressive decline of performance in the first hour of work was followed by a significant rebound. Behavioural responses were associated with corresponding EEG (Electroencephalographic) arousal changes whereas HR (Heart Rate) showed a progressive decline. There is some evidence indicating that different EEG frequency bands are more sensitive to selective attentional requirements than HR which is more related to diffuse arousal changes. The EEG pattern accompanying the rebound of performance supports the autoarousal hypothesis assuming that a cerebral compensatory effort occurs in mental repetitive tasks.