Tracking the Cognitive Journey: From Baseline to Gamified Survey Outcomes

The survey gamification experiment consisted of three tasks conducted two times with a two-week break between each session. The tasks were: Baseline, Cognitive, and Survey.

For the visualizations, we looked at the BVP, EDA, and EEG for different parts of the tasks:

BVP (Blood Volume Pulse): Measures blood volume changes to provide insights into cardiovascular responses and stress.
EDA (Electrodermal Activity): Captures skin conductance fluctuations as an indicator of emotional arousal and sympathetic activity.
EEG (Electroencephalogram): Records electrical brain activity to reveal brainwave patterns associated with different cognitive states.

Explore the process of the study down below!

Baseline Cognitive Survey

1. Baseline Phase

Select data type: BVP EDA

In the baseline phase, participants were asked to be in a relaxed state for 3 minutes. They were not allowed to perform any tasks to prevent any distractions.

Key insights:

BVP: Both post and pre gamified survey started at similar levels of BVP.
EDA: Post gamified survey group saw a lower starting level of EDA than the pre gamified survey.

2. Cognitive Phase

Select data type: BVP EDA

In the cognitive phase, the participants were asked to take a cognitively demanding task: Stroop test. Below is an sample:

BLUE RED GREEN

In a Stroop test, participants must name the color of the text, not read the word.

Key insights:

BVP: Compared to the baseline, the BVP taken during the cognitive test is more volatile for both the pre and post survey results.
EDA: The post gamificaton survey started at a lower mean EDA value.

3. Survey Phase

Select data type: BVP EDA

Participants were divided into two groups: one completed the pre-gamified survey, while the other completed the post-gamified survey. Two weeks later, the groups switched.

Key insights:

BVP: Both post and pre gamified survey saw similar levels of BVP.
EDA: Post gamified survey group saw a lower starting level of EDA than the pre gamified survey.

A plot of each participant's post-gamified and pre-gamified survey completion times. The results show that most participants finished the post-gamified survey faster, averaging 88 seconds quicker.

Understanding Brain Waves

Brain Wave Types:

Delta Waves (0.5-4Hz): Associated with deep sleep states
Theta Waves (4-8Hz): Indicate deeply relaxed and inward focused states
Alpha Waves (8-13Hz): Reflect very relaxed brain states and passive attention
Beta Waves (13-32Hz): Show anxiety dominant, active, external attention, and relaxed brain states
Gamma Waves (32-100Hz): Indicate concentration states

EEG Electrode Locations:

We analyzed EEG data from four key electrodes:

Frontal Electrodes (AF7 and AF8):

Capture frontal lobe activity crucial for decision-making, attention, and working memory
Higher mental workload shows increased theta and beta activity
Lower theta power during gamified surveys suggests reduced cognitive demand

Temporal Electrodes (TP9 and TP10):

Monitor temporal lobe activity involved in auditory processing, language, and memory
Cognitive stress correlates with increased high beta and gamma activity
Lower beta and gamma activity indicates reduced cognitive strain

Gamified surveys may boost theta band activity (associated with relaxed focus and flow) and lower beta activity (linked to stress and mental effort). Explore the graphs below to see if this effect holds!

Select Brain Wave Type:

Now that you've seen how brain wave patterns shift, it's your turn to experience the gamified survey firsthand. Try it out and discover the difference for yourself!

Take the Gamified Survey →