Performance and eye metrics correlates to out-of-the-zone sustained attention in gradCPT

The purpose of this study was to replicate previous behavioral performance results and investigate eye metrics correlates in the Gradual Onset Continuous Performance Task (gradCPT). Previous research has shown that gradCPT can provide a measurement of fluctuations in sustained attention over time. In this study, 30 participants each completed three eight-minute sessions of gradCPT. “In the zone” and “out of the zone” periods were identified according to the Variance Time Course measure. Patterns of reaction time, d´, and error rates were consistent with previous studies, while criterion scores differed between the two-zone periods. Eye-tracking data indicated that mean and variation of pupil size, saccade duration, saccade peak velocity, and fixation duration were sensitive to the in-the-zone vs. the out-of-the-zone periods. These results suggest that some individuals may change their task strategy during out-of-the-zone periods. Eye metrics might be useful indicators for out-of-the-zone performance when behavioral performance metrics were not available.