EEG-Based Estimation of Mental Fatigue: Convergent Evidence for a Three-State Model

Two new computational models show that the EEG distinguishes three distinct mental states ranging from alert to fatigue. State 1 indicates heightened alertness and is frequently present during the first few minutes of time on task. State 2 indicates normal alertness, often following and lasting longer than State 1. State 3 indicates fatigue, usually following State 2, but sometimes alternating with State 1 and State 2. Thirty-channel EEGs were recorded from 16 subjects who performed up to 180 min of nonstop computerbased mental arithmetic. Alert or fatigued states were independently confirmed with measures of subjects’ performance and preor post-task mood. We found convergent evidence for a three-state model of fatigue using Bayesian analysis of two different types of EEG features, both computed for single 13-s EEG epochs: 1) kernel partial least squares scores representing composite multichannel power spectra; 2) amplitude and frequency parameters of multiple singlechannel autoregressive models.