There are several updated research papers on the subject of cognitive methods for assessing mental energy. One recent example is a 2020 study by researchers from the University of Bern in Switzerland, which explores the use of electroencephalography (EEG) to assess mental energy levels.
The study, published in the journal Frontiers in Neuroscience, examines the use of EEG to measure brain activity associated with mental energy levels in a group of healthy volunteers. The researchers found that EEG can provide a reliable measure of mental energy levels, and that this measure can be used to predict individual differences in cognitive performance.
Another recent paper on this subject is a 2021 study published in the journal Applied Ergonomics, which investigates the use of subjective and objective measures of mental fatigue in the workplace. The study suggests that subjective measures, such as self-reported fatigue, may not always be reliable indicators of mental fatigue, and that objective measures, such as EEG or heart rate variability, may be more useful for assessing mental energy levels in the workplace.
Overall, there is a growing body of research on the use of cognitive methods for assessing mental energy, and it is an area of ongoing study and development.
The issue of mental fatigue and its consequences on human performance has been widely recognized by various stakeholders, including governments, industries, and the public. It is a phenomenon that arises when individuals are unable to perform their daily tasks or feel overwhelmed by them, often attributed to a lack of energy. Mental fatigue is a critical concern, and it has been linked to the effects of working for extended hours, inadequate rest, and the inability to sustain an expected level of performance.
According to Grandjean (1979) and Dinges (1995), mental fatigue is a significant factor in explaining reduced productivity in workplaces. Its impact extends beyond individual performance as it can lead to transportation and industrial accidents, resulting in considerable property loss, injury, and death (Mitler et al. 1988; Dinges 1995). Therefore, mental fatigue is a critical issue that needs to be addressed by various stakeholders to ensure safety, productivity, and overall well-being.