Using NIRS to Detect Brain oxyHb Changes During Short-Term Memory Tasks

Abstract

We performed subjective physiological assessment of brain activity using the visually performed n-back task and the n-back task performed by the auditory sense. The visually performed n-back task was done with two tasks that were performed while memorizing presented numbers and the result of computational problems. We characterized and compared the oxygenated hemoglobin concentration change in the brain during the working memory task using near-infrared spectroscopy measurement. Changes in activation of brain activity were observed due to differences in tasks. The difference in the presentation method resulted in a difference in activation of brain activity. Furthermore, the computational n-back task with execution function in working memory induced more brain activity than the usual n-back task. Thus, the computed n-back task is a suitable task to train workers.