Features of bioelectric brain activity in people with different level of situational anxiety when performing non-verbal tasks

Abstract

The purpose of the study: to analyze the parameters of the electroencephalogram in individuals with different levels of anxiety when performing non-verbal tasks.Object and methods. The study was conducted on 20 female students, aged 18 to 22 years. All studies were carried out on a voluntary basis, confirmed in writing, in compliance with bioethical standards governing the conduct of observations on humans. The level of situational anxiety was determined using the Spielberg-Khanin test.The spectral power of the electroencephalogram rhythms was recorded using the NVX 36 digital DC EEG neurovisor using a cap with a set of electrodes that were placed on the head of the subjects according to the international 10–20 system. The EEG recording lasted 1–2 minutes before and during the performance of nonverbal tasks. As non-verbal tasks, the subjects were asked to complete the Portsus maze test and the Cattell intellectual test. The results obtained were statistically processed. Differences were considered statistically significant at p < 0.05. All data obtained are presented as arithmetic means ± standard errors of the mean, as well as changes in average values in %.Research results. It was found that the dynamics of EEG parameters in the performance of nonverbal tasks in students depends on the level of their situational anxiety. In persons with a low level of situational anxiety, when performing nonverbal tasks, an increase in the spectral power of the EEG parameters of beta2 and gamma waves in the frontal, parietal, occipital, and central leads is observed.In subjects with an average level of anxiety in the conditions of performing non-verbal tasks, the EEG parameters of beta2 and gamma waves in the frontal, occipital, and parietal leads noticeably increased. Persons with a high level of anxiety are characterized by an increase in the spectral power of alpha, beta2 and gamma rhythms in the frontal, central, parietal and occipital leads.

Keywords

• eeg
• situational anxiety
• nonverbal tasks
• cognitive load