Detection of the Effects of Environmental Condition on Attention/Memory Using EEG Signals

Several studies suggest that attention is affected by several factors in workplaces and classrooms such as noise levels. These studies are often conducted via surveys and statistical methods to assess the cognitive performances of individuals. In this study, the effect of environmental conditions on attention and memory is investigated using Electroencephalogram (EEG). EEG signals from 32 participants were recorded for three cases with different noise levels while they were performing an n-back task. Sub-band powers of the EEG signals were then extracted using the filtered signals and these features were then classified using several machine learning classifiers. Results indicate that increased noise levels have detrimental effects whereas calm environments have positive effects on attention and working memory.