An interventional study of Maximum Cognitive Load and Mental active/pasive activities in Cognition and Sedentary Behaviors, sponsored by Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Valparaiso. Enrolling by invitation at 1 site in Chile. Open to participants aged 5 Years and older, including healthy volunteers. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-07-28.
Sponsored by Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Valparaiso · Not applicable, Interventional, and Treatment
Prolonged sedentary behavior is linked to poorer metabolic health, yet its effect on cognitive load and brain function remains unclear. Evidence indicates that "mentally active" sedentary tasks (e.g., reading) may support cognition, whereas "mentally passive" tasks (e.g., scrolling social media) may impair it. The cognitive demands associated with these behaviors across the general population are still poorly defined. This project will compare the acute neurophysiological and perceptual responses elicited by mentally active versus passive sedentary tasks across various age groups and in individuals with specific health conditions (i.e., obesity), clarifying how these behaviors differ in the cognitive load they impose. Neuro-cognitive, physiological, and perceptual responses will be assessed with a multimodal battery that includes portable electroencephalography combined with functional near-infrared spectroscopy (EEG + fNIRS; MUSE), eye-tracking (Pupil Core), alertness and visual fatigue via critical flicker fusion testing (CFFT; Lafayette Instrument), autonomic balance through heart-rate variability (HRV) recorded with a Polar H10 monitor, and the self-reported cognitive load assessed using the NASA Task Load Index (NASA-TLX). We hypothesise that mentally passive sedentary activities will elicit a lower cognitive load than mentally active tasks. By comparing different age groups and health conditions within a single protocol, the study will generate an initial set of group-specific data; subsequent independent studies can build on these findings to explore moderation effects in greater depth. Collectively, the results will provide both the theoretical rationale and the empirical evidence needed to sustain the "mentally active" versus "mentally passive" terminology in sedentary-behaviour research, with the ultimate aim of improving mental and cognitive health.
Exclusion Criteria:
Behavioral: Baseline Cognitive Load
Behavioral: Maximum Cognitive Load
Behavioral: Mental active/pasive activities
Participants will perform a working memory task (through N-back 1-to-3) to evaluate the upper limit of cognitive demand.
Participants will engage in 7 activities, presented in a randomly assigned order across two separate days, to assess their impact on cognitive load: 1. playing a videogame (Tetris ®) 2. listening a podcast (including a final question) 3. watching a documentary (including a final question) 4. reading a document extract (including a final question) 5. watch a reality show extract (including a final question) 6. listening music, they like it 7. scrolling their Tik-Tok/Instagram
Participants will sit quietly for 5 minutes to establish baseline spontaneous neurophysiological parameters.
Electroencephalography-derived cortical activity (EEG)
This outcome will be evaluated using a portable EEG system (MUSE Athena), which will evaluate four types of brain waves-alpha (8-12 Hz), gamma (31-90 Hz), theta (4-7 Hz), and beta (13-30 Hz)-along with two wave ratios: theta/alpha and beta/alpha.
Time frame: Day 1 and 2
Hemodynamic Response (fNIRS)
This outcome will be evaluated using a portable functional near-infrared spectroscopy system (fNIRS) in the MUSE headband, assessing changes in oxyhemoglobin (HbO) and deoxyhemoglobin (HbR) concentrations in the prefrontal cortex.
Time frame: Day 1 and 2
Eye-Tracking Metrics
This outcome will be evaluated using a validated portable eye tracker (Pupil Core) to assess eye metrics.
Time frame: Day 1 and 2
Heart Rate Variability (HRV)
This outcome will be evaluated using a chest strap device connected wirelessly to a tablet (Polar H10). Changes in HRV and heart rate are analyzed as a physiological marker (autonomic balance).
Time frame: Day 1 and 2
Critical Flicker Fusion Threshold (Flicker Fusion)
This outcome will be evaluated using the Flicker Fusion System (Lafayette Instrument Company) with the "coincident" stimulus to determine the critical flicker fusion threshold (Hz).
Time frame: Day 1 and 2
Self-Reported Cognitive Load (NASA-TLX)
The Self-Reported Cognitive Load is measured using the NASA Task Load Index (NASA-TLX). Scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating greater cognitive load. Capturing subjective workload across six dimensions: mental demand, physical demand, temporal demand, effort, performance, and frustration.
Time frame: day 2
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Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Valparaiso