Electrophysiological Brain-Cardiac Coupling in Train Drivers during Monotonous Driving

Lees, T; Chalmers, T; Burton, D; Zilberg, E; Penzel, T; Lal, S; Lal, S

Electrophysiological Brain-Cardiac Coupling in Train Drivers during Monotonous Driving

Lees, T Chalmers, T Burton, D Zilberg, E Penzel, T Lal, S

Lal, S

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Publisher:: MDPI AG
Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 2021, 18, (7), pp. 3741
Issue Date:: 2021-04-02

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Lees, T
dc.contributor.author	Chalmers, T
dc.contributor.author	Burton, D
dc.contributor.author	Zilberg, E
dc.contributor.author	Penzel, T
dc.contributor.author	Lal, S https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0911-0850
dc.contributor.author	Lal, S https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0911-0850
dc.date.accessioned	2022-01-25T17:49:48Z
dc.date.available	2021-03-31
dc.date.available	2022-01-25T17:49:48Z
dc.date.issued	2021-04-02
dc.identifier.citation	International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 2021, 18, (7), pp. 3741
dc.identifier.issn	1661-7827
dc.identifier.issn	1660-4601
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/153580
dc.description.abstract	Electrophysiological research has previously investigated monotony and the cardiac health of drivers independently; however, few studies have explored the association between the two. As such the present study aimed to examine the impact of monotonous train driving (indicated by electroencephalogram (EEG) activity) on an individual's cardiac health as measured by heart rate variability (HRV). Sixty-three train drivers participated in the present study, and were required to complete a monotonous train driver simulator task. During this task, a 32 lead EEG and a three-lead electrocardiogram were recorded from each participant. In the present analysis, the low (LF) and high frequency (HF) HRV parameters were associated with delta (p < 0.05), beta (p = 0.03) and gamma (p < 0.001) frequency EEG variables. Further, total HRV was associated with gamma activity, while sympathovagal balance (i.e., LF:HF ratio) was best associated fronto-temporal delta activity (p = 0.02). HRV and EEG parameters appear to be coupled, with the parameters of the delta and gamma EEG frequency bands potentially being the most important to this coupling. These relationships provide insight into the impact of a monotonous task on the cardiac health of train drivers, and may also be indicative of strategies employed to combat fatigue or engage with the driving task.
dc.format	Electronic
dc.language	eng
dc.publisher	MDPI AG
dc.relation.ispartof	International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.3390/ijerph18073741
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
dc.subject.classification	Toxicology
dc.subject.mesh	Automobile Driving
dc.subject.mesh	Brain
dc.subject.mesh	Electrocardiography
dc.subject.mesh	Electroencephalography
dc.subject.mesh	Heart
dc.subject.mesh	Heart Rate
dc.subject.mesh	Humans
dc.subject.mesh	Heart
dc.subject.mesh	Brain
dc.subject.mesh	Humans
dc.subject.mesh	Electrocardiography
dc.subject.mesh	Electroencephalography
dc.subject.mesh	Heart Rate
dc.subject.mesh	Automobile Driving
dc.title	Electrophysiological Brain-Cardiac Coupling in Train Drivers during Monotonous Driving
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	18
utslib.location.activity	Switzerland
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Science
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Strength - CHT - Health Technologies
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Science/School of Life Sciences
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Centre for Health Technologies (CHT)
utslib.copyright.status	open_access	*
dc.date.updated	2022-01-25T17:49:46Z
pubs.issue	7
pubs.publication-status	Published online
pubs.volume	18
utslib.citation.issue	7

Abstract:

Electrophysiological research has previously investigated monotony and the cardiac health of drivers independently; however, few studies have explored the association between the two. As such the present study aimed to examine the impact of monotonous train driving (indicated by electroencephalogram (EEG) activity) on an individual's cardiac health as measured by heart rate variability (HRV). Sixty-three train drivers participated in the present study, and were required to complete a monotonous train driver simulator task. During this task, a 32 lead EEG and a three-lead electrocardiogram were recorded from each participant. In the present analysis, the low (LF) and high frequency (HF) HRV parameters were associated with delta (p < 0.05), beta (p = 0.03) and gamma (p < 0.001) frequency EEG variables. Further, total HRV was associated with gamma activity, while sympathovagal balance (i.e., LF:HF ratio) was best associated fronto-temporal delta activity (p = 0.02). HRV and EEG parameters appear to be coupled, with the parameters of the delta and gamma EEG frequency bands potentially being the most important to this coupling. These relationships provide insight into the impact of a monotonous task on the cardiac health of train drivers, and may also be indicative of strategies employed to combat fatigue or engage with the driving task.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/153580