Blink rate variability during resting and reading sessions

Abstract

Blinking has two functions: to moisturize eyes and as a defensive response to the environment and responses caused by the by mental processes. In this paper, we investigate statistical characteristics of blinks and blink rate variability of 11 subjects. The subjects are presented with a reading/memorization session preceded and followed by resting sessions. EEG signals were recorded during these sessions. The signals from the two front electrodes were then analyzed, and times of the blinks were detected. We discovered that compared to the resting sessions, reading sessions are characterized by a lower number of blinks. However, there was no significant difference in the standard deviation in the blink rate variability. We also noticed that in terms of complexity measures, the blink rate variability is located somewhere in between white and pink noises, being closer to the white noise during reading. We also found that the average of inter-blink intervals increases during reading/memorization, thus longer inter-blink intervals could be associated with a mental workload.