Brain Fitness NewsBrainwave Levels Switch To Lower Gear As Your Mind Begins To Wander!
Brain imaging technology has become so advanced that scientists can now detect a specific brainwave frequency that warns of an impending mental performance mistake. Using magnetoencephalography (a brain scanning technology more precise than common EEG (electroencephalography), researchers at the University of California, Davis, in collaboration with the Donders Institute in the Netherlands have charted the occurrence of Alpha-level brainwave activity notifying researchers when test subjects are no longer paying proper attention to tasks strategically designed to test the ability to stay mentally focused.
The brainwave frequency in question is the Alpha signal range of 8 to 12 Hertz, a level of brain activity characterized by daydreaming and other mind-wandering phenomenon. The four major brainwave states concerning mental training and brain fitness clients are:
- Delta (Up to 4 Hz) - Associated with deep sleep and unconsciousness.
- Theta (4-7 Hz) - Subconsciously dominated state that indicates drowsiness, dreaming, hypnosis, and some meditation activity.
- Alpha (8-12 Hz) - Signaling a daydreaming, creative reflection or fantasizing, relaxed mindset.
- Beta (12-30 Hz) - Indicating a waking, conscious, alert, and an active mental concentration state.
In a study consisting of 14 students, researchers assigned attention-intensive tests developed to assess attention deficits and other neurological disorders. Students sat at a computer for an hour as random numbers between 1 and 9 flashed across the monitor every two seconds, tasked with pressing a button whenever any number other than 5 appeared. Students were asked not to press the button when 5 appeared. The task proved so dull that, 40% of the time, participants would press the button even when 5 appeared, unable to maintain attention over the full course of the challenge.
NOTE: With effective attention control training, the phenomenon of 'cognitive boredom' can be resolved so that anyone who sets large goals that demand a lot of detailed attention (even to dull activities) does not have to suffer the unpleasantness and distractibility of habitual boredom.
The study found Alpha brainwave activity increases of 25% just prior to making the error, indicating that the participant's mind was beginning to wander into such distracted internal states as daydreaming about something unrelated to the task at hand.
Interestingly, upon being alerted to the mistake, the forebrain region would immediately activate resulting in a sudden decrease in Alpha-level signaling, demonstrating that each student was able to get control of their attention and snap themselves out of the mental wandering state, at least for a time, until they would become caught up again in the task.
The practical applications in this manner research into the physiological components of failing attention are significant, and may someday benefit individuals wishing to improve mental concentration and build stronger mental focus. Also, companies and industries such as aviation (pilots and air traffic controllers) may benefit as technology evolves that help employees to stay alert, boosting productivity, increasing profits, and enjoying better safety records overall. Someday, automobile manufacturers may have a safety tool available that will alert drivers when their attention has begun to wander dangerously in relation to surrounding driving conditions.
Thanks to:
1. University of California - Davis (2009, March 25). Brain Wave Patterns Can Predict Blunders, New Study Finds. ScienceDaily. May 2009, from *www.sciencedaily.com
2. Wikipedia.org Search: Brainwaves, EEG