The battle of predicting vigilance: alpha power vs. skin temperature

Abstract

Predicting vigilance in the near future (30 seconds) could be beneficial in preventing mistakes in traffic situations, hospitals or border control. Previous research has shown that alpha power as measured with EEG and skin temperature might be used for predicting vigilance. The current study attempted to replicate those earlier findings and transfer them to other tasks. It also focussed on creating more of a temporal view surrounding the relationship between skin temperature and vigilance. Hits and misses on long sustained tasks were compared on their relative alpha power and distal-proximal gradient of skin temperature in the 30 second period pre-stimulus onset. The current study found no differences between hits and misses and was thus unable to replicate or transfer those earlier findings. There are multiple differences between the current study and earlier research discussed that might be the reason for the inability to replicate. As it stands however, the current results did not show a viable option for preventing mistakes with the use of alpha power or skin temperature in the near future.