Abstract
Highlights VR intervention was used for cognitive fatigue recovery, and the changes of EEG microstates were further explored. • Mean accuracy rate (MAR) increased and mean response time (MRT) decreased in behavioral analysis after VR intervention. • Complicated information on brain function related to cognitive fatigue was explored through EEG microstates analysis. • The parameters of EEG microstates showed mainly opposite results before and after VR intervention. Abstract Introduction Cognitive fatigue is mainly caused by enduring mental stress or monotonous work, impairing cognitive and physical performance. Natural scene exposure is a promising intervention for relieving cognitive fatigue, but the efficacy of virtual reality (VR) simulated natural scene exposure is unclear. We aimed to investigate the effect of VR natural scene on cognitive fatigue and further explored its underlying neurophysiological alterations with electroencephalogram (EEG) microstates analysis. Methods Ten participants performed a 20-minute 1-back task before and after VR intervention while EEG was recorded (pre-task, post-task). Performance was measured with mean accuracy rate (MAR) and mean reaction time (MRT) of the continuous 1-back task. VR simulation of the Canal Town scene was utilized to alleviate cognitive fatigue caused by 1-back tasks. Four resting-state phases were identified: beginning, pre, post, and end phases. Results Post-task had a higher MAR and a lower MRT than pre-task. For pre-task, MAR was negatively correlated with trials, while MRT was positively correlated with trials. Four EEG microstates classes (A-D) were identified, and their temporal parameters (mean duration, time coverage and occurrence) and transition probabilities were calculated. After intervention, mean duration and time coverage of class B decreased, all parameters of class C increased, while all parameters of class D decreased. Transition probabilities between classes B and D decreased but increased between classes A and C. Conclusion VR simulation of Canal Town scene is a potentially effective method to alleviate cognitive fatigue. Microstate is an electrophysiological trait characteristic of cognitive fatigue and might be used to indicate the effect of VR intervention.
Authors
Han, J., Zhang, C., Cai, Y., Li, Y., Shang, Y., Chen, Z., Yang, G., Song, J., Su, D., Bai, K., Sun, J., Liu, Y., Liu, N., Duan, Wang, Y. &., & W.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brainresbull.2025.111223