Analysis of Blink Rate Variability during reading and memory testing

TL;DR

This study analyzes how blink rate variability changes during reading and memory testing, revealing decreased inter-blink interval variability during tasks requiring concentration, based on EEG data from 13 subjects.

Contribution

It introduces a method for analyzing blink rate variability during cognitive tasks and demonstrates its changes during reading and memory testing.

Findings

Blink rate decreases during reading.

Standard deviation of blink variability is higher during reading.

Inter-blink interval variability decreases with concentration.

Abstract

In this paper we investigated how statistical properties of the blink rate variability changes during two mental tasks: reading a passage and memory testing. To construct time series of inter-blink intervals (blink rate variability) we detected exact blink time in EEG recordings using our blink detection algorithm. We found that among 13 subjects, all subjects blinked less during reading session. Moreover, standard deviation of the blink rate variability is higher during reading. Thus, we conclude that the variability of inter-blink intervals decreases during tasks that require concentration and intense mental activity.