Effects of leaning workstation on oxygenation in the prefrontal cortex and cognitive performance

Abstract

Purpose: The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of different workstations on prefrontal brain activity and cognitive performance during standardized neurocognitive tasks. Methods: With a repeated-measures laboratory study, 20 university students (24.5±3.0 years old; 10 females) were exposed to either a conventional sitting workstation or leaning workstation. After a one-hour exposure to the workstation, participants performed five different neurocognitive tasks which assessed the executive function and working memory. Results: The oxygenation levels in the prefrontal cortex were significantly different between the two workstations (p's<0.042). However, there was no significant difference in cognitive performance (speed and accuracy) between the two workstations (p's>0.064). Given higher oxygenation concentration in the prefrontal cortex, the leaning workstation might have improved the capacity of executive function and working memory when compared to the sitting workstation. Conclusions: The findings suggest that leaning workstation may improve the cognitive function when compared to sitting workstation by increasing the prefrontal cortex activity associated with the executive function and working memory. This study exposed the potential neurocognitive benefits of the leaning workstation.