# Understanding Cognitive Depletion in Novice NMR Analysts

## TL;DR

This study investigates cognitive depletion in novice NMR analysts through a gamified simulation, using eye tracking and event logging to identify signs of fatigue and learning over three hours.

## Contribution

It introduces a novel experimental setup combining gamification and biometric data to study cognitive fatigue in NMR analysis novices.

## Key findings

- Signs of learning and cognitive depletion can be detected during the task.
- Certain symptoms are predictive of taking breaks.
- Break strategies do not correlate with game scores.

## Abstract

We present the results of a user study with novice NMR analysts (N=19) involving a gamified simulation of the NMR analysis process. Participants solved randomly generated spectrum puzzles for up to three hours. We used eye tracking, event logging, and observations to record symptoms of cognitive depletion while participants worked. Analysis of results indicate that we can detect both signs of learning and signs of cognitive depletion in participants over the course of the three hours. Participants' break strategies did not predict or reflect game scores, but certain symptoms appear predictive of breaks.