The Effect of Online Cognitive Training on Sustained Attention Measures for Electric Power Line Installers

Abstract

This research builds on previous studies that identify inattentiveness as a causal factor of accidents. Cognitive training exercises were used to determine if attentiveness of electric power line installers could be increased. Participants, selected from two electric utilities and two electric power contractors, were randomly placed in either a control or a treatment group. Only the treatment group completed cognitive training, with both groups participating in pre- and posttests of sustained attention using the Sustained Attention to Response Task (SART). A significant trade-off between response accuracy and reaction time on SART was obtained for both groups. A multivariate analysis of covariance revealed a significant effect of cognitive training on performance, with the effect dominated by the change in reaction time rather than response accuracy. The results of this experiment followed the trend of previous research demonstrating that cognitive training can increase sustained attention ability.

Keywords: attention, cognitive training. electric power, computer training, memory, Posit Science

JEL Classification: I31, L94, M11, M14, Z21