Document Detail


Workload assessment of surgeons: correlation between NASA TLX and blinks.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  22527300     Owner:  NLM     Status:  Publisher    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
BACKGROUND: Blinks are known as an indicator of visual attention and mental stress. In this study, surgeons' mental workload was evaluated utilizing a paper assessment instrument (National Aeronautics and Space Administration Task Load Index, NASA TLX) and by examining their eye blinks. Correlation between these two assessments was reported. METHODS: Surgeons' eye motions were video-recorded using a head-mounted eye-tracker while the surgeons performed a laparoscopic procedure on a virtual reality trainer. Blink frequency and duration were computed using computer vision technology. The level of workload experienced during the procedure was reported by surgeons using the NASA TLX. RESULTS: A total of 42 valid videos were recorded from 23 surgeons. After blinks were computed, videos were divided into two groups based on the blink frequency: infrequent group (≤6 blinks/min) and frequent group (more than 6 blinks/min). Surgical performance (measured by task time and trajectories of tool tips) was not significantly different between these two groups, but NASA TLX scores were significantly different. Surgeons who blinked infrequently reported a higher level of frustration (46 vs. 34, P = 0.047) and higher overall level of workload (57 vs. 47, P = 0.045) than those who blinked more frequently. The correlation coefficients (Pearson test) between NASA TLX and the blink frequency and duration were -0.17 and 0.446. CONCLUSION: Reduction of blink frequency and shorter blink duration matched the increasing level of mental workload reported by surgeons. The value of using eye-tracking technology for assessment of surgeon mental workload was shown.
Authors:
Bin Zheng; Xianta Jiang; Geoffrey Tien; Adam Meneghetti; O Neely M Panton; M Stella Atkins
Publication Detail:
Type:  JOURNAL ARTICLE     Date:  2012-4-24
Journal Detail:
Title:  Surgical endoscopy     Volume:  -     ISSN:  1432-2218     ISO Abbreviation:  -     Publication Date:  2012 Apr 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2012-4-24     Completed Date:  -     Revised Date:  -    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  8806653     Medline TA:  Surg Endosc     Country:  -    
Other Details:
Languages:  ENG     Pagination:  -     Citation Subset:  -    
Affiliation:
Department of Surgery, 3-002F Li Ka Shing Centre for Health Research Innovation, University of Alberta, 8440-112 St. NW, Edmonton, AB, Canada, bin.zheng@ualberta.ca.
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