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OBJECTIVE: This study used electroencephalography to explore the behavioral and electrophysiological effects of task interruption on performance. BACKGROUND: Task interruption is known to harm work performance, especially on working memory-related tasks. However, most studies pay little attention to cognitive processes by exploring brain activity and ignore the cumulative effect of sequential interruptions. METHOD: Thirty-four healthy participants performed a spatial 2-back in three conditions: (1) interruptions with simple math questions, (2) suspensions with prolonged fixation cross, and (3) a pure 2-back. The measured outcomes comprise performance data, ERP amplitudes, EEG power, and subjective workload. RESULTS: Work performance decreased in the resumption trials, and cumulative interruptions had a more destructive effect on performance. EEG results showed that the P2 and P3 amplitudes induced by the 2-back task significantly increased after interruptions; theta and alpha power increased after interruptions. The P3 amplitude and alpha power induced by interruptions were significantly higher than that induced by suspensions. CONCLUSION: Behavioral data revealed the disruptive effect of interruptions on postinterruption performance and the cumulative effect of interruptions on accuracy. Changes in ERP amplitudes and EEG power indicate the mechanisms of attention reallocation and working memory during interruptions. Larger P3 amplitudes and alpha power after interruptions than after suspensions suggested the inhibition of irrelevant information. These results may support the memory for goals model and improve the understanding of the effects of interruption on working memory. APPLICATION: Focusing upon the mechanisms at play during the interruption process can support interruption management to ensure work safety and efficiency.
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PURPOSE: To compare the consistency of one-dimensional Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (1D-RECIST), two-dimensional WHO criteria (2D-WHO), and three-dimensional (3D) measurement for therapeutic response assessment of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective data of 288 newly diagnosed NPC patients were reviewed. Tumor size was assessed on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) according to the 1D-RECIST, 2D-WHO, and 3D measurement criteria. Agreement between tumor responses was assessed using unweighted k statistics. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to determine the optimal cut-off point of the PTV. The Kaplan-Meier method and Cox regression were used for the survival analysis. RESULTS: The optimal cut-off point of the PTV for progression-free survival (PFS) was 29.6%. Agreement with PTV measurement was better for 1D measurement than for 2D and 3D measurements (kappa values of 0.646, 0.537, and 0.577 for 1D, 2D, and 3D measurements, respectively; P < 0.05). The area under the curve of the 1D measurement (AUC=0.596) was similar to that of the PTV measurement (AUC=0.621). Compared with 2D and 3D measurements, 1D measurement is superior for predicting prognosis in NPC (C-index of 0.672, 0.663, and 0.646 were for 1D, 2D, and 3D measurements, respectively; P < 0.005). Survival analysis showed that patients with non-responders had worse prognosis (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The 1D measurement more closely agreed with the PTV measurement than the 2D and 3D measurements for predicting therapeutic responses in NPC. Therefore, we recommend using the less time-consuming 1D-RECIST criteria in routine clinical practice.
