Leveraging fNIRS to Evaluate Workload for Adaptive Training in Virtual Reality

2026-05-07

AI Summary

This study addresses the challenge of real-time, objective assessment of cognitive load in virtual reality (VR) training. By integrating functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) with VR technology and employing whole-head neural monitoring, the research provides the first empirical differentiation and validation of the neural correlates underlying intrinsic and extraneous cognitive load within a VR environment. The findings demonstrate that intrinsic load significantly activates task-relevant regions such as the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and left angular gyrus, whereas extraneous load elicits activation only in task-irrelevant areas like the right angular gyrus. Moreover, fNIRS-derived metrics exhibit strong concordance with NASA-TLX subjective ratings. These results establish a critical neuroergonomic foundation for developing adaptive VR training systems driven by neural feedback.

Abstract

Advance in technology offer the potential for future adoption of a combination of virtual reality (VR) and real-time adaptivity to enhance training and education. Providing a valid neuro-ergonomic measure of cognitive load can enable an adaptive training regime to continuously adjust tas difficulty to an optimal level as training progresses. The current study validated the functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) measure of cognitive load to reflect the demands of two different forms of lad within Cognitive Load Theory: extraneous and intrinsic to he task to be mastered. Thirty-six participants completed a VR shape assembly training task followed by a test of their skill retention They wore near-full head coverage fNIRS and provided subjective ratings of ther workload. The fNIRS findings largely corroborate intrinsic workload literature with significant activation in cortical regions (dorsolateral and rostral prefrontal cortex and left angular gyrus) associated with working memory, short term memory buffers, multisensory integration, and attention. These fNIRS results were tracked closely by NASA TLS measures of mental workload. The results also revealed far less brain activity associated with extraneous load, namely just the right angular gyrus, deemed irrelevant to the mastery of the task.

Problem

• cognitive load
• fNIRS
• virtual reality
• adaptive training
• neuro-ergonomics

Innovation

• fNIRS
• cognitive load
• virtual reality
• adaptive training
• neuroergonomics