Developing systems for the rapid modeling of team neurodynamics

Abstract

Cognitive Neurophysiologic synchronies (NS) are a low level data stream derived from EEG measurements that can be collected and analyzed in near real time and in realistic settings. We are using NS to develop systems that can rapidly determine the functional status of a team with the goals of being able to assess the quality of a teams' performance / decisions, and to adaptively rearrange the team or task components to better optimize the team. EEG-derived measures of engagement from Submarine Piloting and Navigation team members were normalized and pattern classified by self-organizing artificial neural networks and hidden Markov models. The temporal expression of these patterns were mapped onto team events and related to the frequency of team members' speech. Standardized models were created using pooled data from multiple teams and were used to compare NS expression across teams, training sessions and levels of expertise. These models have also been incorporated into software systems that can provide for rapid (minutes) after training feedback to the team and provide a framework for future real-time monitoring. © 2011 Springer-Verlag.