EEG Fast Beta Sub-band Power and Frontal Alpha Asymmetry under Cognitive Stress

Intensity of background noise is a factor significantly affecting both subjective evaluation of experienced stress level and associated electroencephalographic (EEG) responses during mental load in noisy environments. In the study on 27 subjects we analyzed the influence of the background white noise (WN) intensity on psychophysiological responses during a word recognition test. Electrocortical activity were recorded during baseline resting state and 40 s long performance on 3 similar Korean word recognition tests with different intensities of background WN (55, 70 and 85 dB).. An important finding in terms of physiological reactivity was similarity of all physiological response profiles between 55 and 70dB WN, i.e., none of physiological variables differentiated the two conditions, while 85dB WN resulted in a significantly different profile of reactions (higher fast beta power in EEG spectra). This condition was characterized by highest subjective rating of experienced stress, had more fast beta activity and had tendency of right hemisphere dominance, emphasizing the role of brain lateralization in negative affect control.