Cognitive task fulfilment may decrease gaze control performances

Abstract

Human cognitive processing limits can lead to difficulties in performing two tasks simultaneously. In this respect, the mobilization of attentional resources seems to be more important in voluntary than in reflexive visuo-oculomotor movements. With this in mind, this study aimed to determine the differentiated effects of carrying out cognitive tasks on reflexive and voluntary movements generated by the visuo-oculomotor system. Eye movements were recorded with a videonystagmography system in 20 healthy adults. Prosaccade and antisaccade latency and accuracy were determined, as was the gain of regular smooth pursuit. The cognitive tasks comprised a backward counting task in steps of seven or thirteen and were carried out during the three oculomotor tasks. Whatever the backward counting, the cognitive tasks caused an increase in latency and a decrease in accuracy in the prosaccades and antisaccades as well as a drop in smooth pursuit gain. Despite a high degree of prosaccade, antisaccade and pursuit predictability, the oculomotor parameters were altered during dual-task fulfilment, and voluntary movements were more vulnerable than reflexive movements. Cognitive task achievement during oculomotor tasks requires greater attentional resource mobilization, and the reduction in visuo-oculomotor performance is even greater since the oculomotor task places more demand on the cognitive resources. Attention is thus a crucial cognitive process for the maintenance of adequate reflexive and voluntary oculomotor performance. Concurrently performing tasks have broader implications in motor coordination degradation understanding in situations like handheld phone when driving or in management of organisational and environmental constraints in occupational activities.