Physiological Measures of the Mental Workload in Users of a Lower Limb Exosuit: A Comparison of Subjective and Objective Metrics

TL;DR

This study compares subjective and physiological measures of mental workload in users of a lower-limb exosuit, finding pupil size correlates with subjective assessments and highlighting complex interactions between task difficulty, exoskeleton use, and physiological responses.

Contribution

It introduces a comparative analysis of subjective and objective mental workload metrics in exosuit users, emphasizing pupil size as a potential indicator.

Findings

Pupil size correlates with NASA-TLX subjective workload scores.

Exosuit use influences pupillary dynamics and mental workload.

Ocular asymmetry affects sensitivity to cognitive load.

Abstract

Lower-limb exosuits are particularly relevant for individuals with some degree of mobility impairment, such as post-stroke patients or older adults with reduced movement capabilities. This study aims to investigate the mental workload (MWL) assessment of XoSoft, a lower-limb soft exoskeleton, using and comparing subjective and objective physiological metrics. The NASA-TLX questionnaire, the average percentage change in pupil size (APCPS), and the Baevsky stress index (SI) are compared. The experiments were conducted on 18 healthy subjects while walking and involved mathematical tasks to create a double-task condition. The results show a complex interaction between task difficulty, exoskeleton activation, and pupillary dynamics, suggesting that the subject might reach a saturated condition under a high mental load. Besides, the data indicate that pupil diameter may be an objective mental workload indicator that correlates with subjective NASA-TLX questionnaires. The discordant indications from the stress index suggest how different metrics of the ocular and cardiac levels respond differently to various stimuli and dynamics. Research has also revealed ocular asymmetry, with the right eye more sensitive to cognitive load.