The effects of different interruption conditions on mental workload: an experimental study based on multimodal measurements

Interruptions in the working environment cause extra mental workload for the operators, and this phenomenon has garnered significant research attention. This study designed four interruption conditions based on the perceptual and cognitive perspectives of human information processing, using a 2(perceptual primary task and cognitive primary task)*2(perceptual interruption task and cognitive interruption task) factorial design. Multimodal measurement methods were used to evaluate mental workload in different interruption conditions. The results show that when the primary task and the interruption task are different load types, they generate a higher mental workload than the same load type. It can be attributed to the fact that perceptual tasks and cognitive tasks increase mental workload during switching. In addition, based on the multimodal index data, the prediction model of interruption recovery delay time and the classification model of interruption conditions are established, which provides a basis for rational scheduling of work and preventing mental overload. This study's results enhance our understanding of interruptions from the perspectives of perception and cognition, providing a more accurate theoretical basis for managing mental workload in interruption conditions. The proposed interruption recovery delay time prediction model and the interruption condition classification model have certain reference values for improving interruption management capabilities.