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Abstract— Cognitive resource theory combines individual Wandering has also been linked to a reduction in attention
differences in attentional resources and task demands to and focus [14,15]. Increase in EEG theta band power and
predict variance in task performance. Mind wandering, on the decrease in EEG beta band power were linked to a state of
other hand, refers to the occurrence of thoughts that are both Mind Wandering in a proof-of-concept study,[16] reported
stimulus independent and task unrelated. In this paper, the that a condition of Mind Wandering was associated with high
dataset collected from publicly available online sources and EEG theta band power and low EEG beta band power. When
consists of 36 subjects performing mental arithmetic tasks you're awake and close your eyes, your alpha waves are
(series of subtraction). Based on their performance on the
higher than when you're awake and open your eyes [17].
subtraction task subjects are divided into two groups: “Bad”
and “Good”. Each group is divided into two parts: before the Power has been found to predict various aspects of
mental arithmetic task of 180 seconds (resting state), and while cognitive performance on other tasks. Many such research
doing the mental arithmetic task of 60 seconds (response). The has found that good memory performance is linked to higher
band power calculated using wavedec function used to assess resting power [18], and that a higher ERD is correlated with
the performance of subjects by analyzing band ratio’s, better effectiveness on a semantic search task [19]. External
cognitive workload index, individual band frequencies, stimulus, such as task-relevant visual pictures or warning
prefrontal electrode. Binary classification with various
signs, suppresses alpha waves during cognitive activities
classifier used, three classifiers obtained the same results:
SVM, Gaussian NB, Logistic Regression 73%.
[20]. During brief waiting times between task attempts
[21,22] and mental imagery, which demands inward-directed
Keywords— Mind Wandering, CWI (Cognitive Workload thought [23], alpha waves are increased. Decreases in
index), Binary Classification, SVM, Gaussian NB (Naive Bayes), perceptual discrimination have been linked to enhanced alpha
Logistic Regression. activity prior to an incoming stimulus [24]. The task-related
power variations show that alpha activity is sensitive to
I. INTRODUCTION cognitive demands: it is repressed in response to sensory
The human brain could either be consumed by memories stimulation and boosted during periods of no stimulation
from the past or preoccupied with the long term, whereas [25].
paying attention on the present is critical for healthy lifestyle. The role of alpha power in the suppression of sensory
Even when at rest, the brain is constantly busy and interrupts processes to protect thinking from continuing distraction has
itself to attend to a specific task. The portion of mental effort been demonstrated in numerous studies [26,27], and it is a
expended by everyone in response to a particular cognitive promising metric to describe Mind Wandering [28].
task is referred to as the cognitive workload [1]. Although some studies have observed the contrary tendency,
Cognitive workload based on electroencephalography our findings are consistent with multiple earlier findings that
(EEG) is an important marker of brain activity for workload connect greater alpha power with Mind Wandering in frontal,
analysis (mental effort). Cognitive workload is a occipital, and posterior parts of the brain [29,30,31]. When
measurement of the load placed on memory and other compared to episodes of focused attention, a high in theta
executive functions that are used to demonstrate cognitive and a low in beta power have been reported during Mind
abilities. Memory load was investigated using EEG signals Wandering [32].
during cognitive task inducing seven levels of workload In [33] researchers have calculated different EEG band
using arithmetic tasks [2,3]. The variations in brain lobes for ratio’s for evaluating the cognitive load indices of the
different load levels are investigated [4]. subjects in pre and post meditation.
The total electrical oscillations in layer potentials created The key contribution of the proposed work is to analyse
by the interconnection of the principal inhibitory and the band ratio’s, cognitive load index, individual band
excitatory neurons are represented by the EEG signal [5,6]. frequencies, prefrontal electrode of the subjects, and finally
Mind wandering (MW) episodes, like concern, are applied the binary classification with different classifier like
characterised by the appearance of task-unrelated feelings SVM, KNN, Decision Tree, Random Forest, Gaussian NB,
and ideas that divert attention away from the current task [7]. Logistic Regression. The paper is arranged in four sections.
Mind Wandering can happen when you're doing something Section 2 includes materials and methods, Section 3 includes
else, and it shows up as you think about something else [8]. experiments and results, Section 4 includes conclusion.
Prospection and future planning [9], creativity [10], and
mental breaks, which can help you get out of a bad mood II. MATERIALS AND METHODS
[11] have all been linked to Mind Wandering. Others have
a) Recording and Selection of the EEG signals
consistently viewed Mind Wandering as a condition of
diminished working memory and attentional control The EEG signals were recorded from Neurocom
[12,13]and as a predictor of performance errors, in addition Monopolar EEG 23-channel system (Ukraine, XAI-
to its relationship with these more positive processes. Mind MEDICA). All 23 electrodes are mounted on the scalp of the
subject according to the International 10-20 scheme. The
electrodes mounted on the scalp recorded the signals from
different parts of the brain, where it is divided into different
lobes like frontal, temporal, parietal, occipital. The electrodes
used for measuring frontal, temporal, parietal, occipital and
central of the brain are given [33]. The interconnected ear
reference electrodes are used to reference all electrodes. The
inter-electrode impedance was kept below 5k, and the
sampling rate was 500Hz. A 0.5Hz cut-off frequency HPF, a
45Hz cut-off frequency LPF, and a 50Hz power line notch
filter is used.
Recording of each EEG signals includes artifacts-free
EEG segments of 180 sec (resting state) and 60 sec (mental
counting). Out of 66 participants 30 were removed from the
database due to imprudent artifacts present with eyes and
muscle. So overall we found 36 subjects best.
b) Attribute of Subjects Participation in the protocol
The subject’s participation in the protocol includes series
of subtraction or called with Number of subtractions. It
includes the process of first taking the difference between the
four-digit number and the result of subtracting, divided by
the subtrahend. More information can be found in the paper
[34].
Fig. 3. CWI for Subjects performing before, while doing task, (a) “Good”
(b) “Bad”
TABLE I. COMPARISON OF COGNITIVE LOAD INDEX BETWEEN BAD AND GOOD SUBJECTS PERFORMING BEFORE(3MIN) & WHILE DOING(1MIN) TASK
USING MEAN.