Wearable Device-Based Real-Time Monitoring of Physiological Signals: Evaluating Cognitive Load Across Different Tasks

TL;DR

This paper presents a wearable device-based method for real-time cognitive load assessment using EEG and HRV data, demonstrating high accuracy and cross-task applicability for secondary vocational students.

Contribution

It introduces a novel approach combining EEG and HRV analysis with machine learning for precise, portable cognitive load monitoring in educational settings.

Findings

Achieved 97% classification accuracy in decoding cognitive load levels.

Validated cross-task transferability of the classification model.

Demonstrated practical application potential in secondary vocational education.

Abstract

This study employs cutting-edge wearable monitoring technology to conduct high-precision, high-temporal-resolution (1-second interval) cognitive load assessment on electroencephalogram (EEG) data from the FP1 channel and heart rate variability (HRV) data of secondary vocational students. By jointly analyzing these two critical physiological indicators, the research delves into their application value in assessing cognitive load among secondary vocational students and their utility across various tasks. The study designed two experiments to validate the efficacy of the proposed approach: Initially, a random forest classification model, developed using the N-BACK task, enabled the precise decoding of physiological signal characteristics in secondary vocational students under different levels of cognitive load, achieving a classification accuracy of 97%. Subsequently, this classification model was applied in a cross-task experiment involving the National Computer Rank Examination (Level-1), demonstrating the method's significant applicability and cross-task transferability in diverse learning contexts. Conducted with high portability, this research holds substantial theoretical and practical significance for optimizing teaching resource allocation in secondary vocational education, as well as for cognitive load assessment methods and monitoring. Currently, the research findings are undergoing trial implementation in the school.