Sustained attention is associated with error processing impairment: evidence from mental fatigue study in four-choice reaction time task

PLoS One. 2015 Mar 10;10(3):e0117837. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0117837. eCollection 2015.

Abstract

Attention is important in error processing. Few studies have examined the link between sustained attention and error processing. In this study, we examined how error-related negativity (ERN) of a four-choice reaction time task was reduced in the mental fatigue condition and investigated the role of sustained attention in error processing. Forty-one recruited participants were divided into two groups. In the fatigue experiment group, 20 subjects performed a fatigue experiment and an additional continuous psychomotor vigilance test (PVT) for 1 h. In the normal experiment group, 21 subjects only performed the normal experimental procedures without the PVT test. Fatigue and sustained attention states were assessed with a questionnaire. Event-related potential results showed that ERN (p < 0.005) and peak (p < 0.05) mean amplitudes decreased in the fatigue experiment. ERN amplitudes were significantly associated with the attention and fatigue states in electrodes Fz, FC1, Cz, and FC2. These findings indicated that sustained attention was related to error processing and that decreased attention is likely the cause of error processing impairment.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Attention / physiology*
  • Choice Behavior / physiology*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mental Fatigue / physiopathology*
  • Mental Fatigue / psychology*
  • Neuropsychological Tests
  • Psychomotor Performance / physiology
  • Reaction Time
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Young Adult

Grants and funding

This study was supported by the National Basic Research Program of China (973 Program; No. 2011CB711003), the National Natural Science Foundation of China (71201148), the Foundation of National Key Laboratory of Human Factors Engineering (Grant Nos. HF2011-Z-Z-A-01, HF2011-Z-B-02, HF2011-Z-Z-B-02, and HF2012-Z-B-02), and the China Manned Space Medical Engineering Advanced Research Project (2012SY54B1701). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.