Effects of task difficulty and music expertise in virtual reality: Observations of cognitive load and task accuracy in a rhythm exergame

2025-07-09

AI Summary

This study investigates the interaction between task difficulty and musical expertise on cognitive load and task accuracy in the virtual reality rhythm-based game Beat Saber. Using a multimodal approach, we collected behavioral and physiological data—including heart rate variability, electrodermal activity (via Emotibit), and subjective workload ratings (NASA-TLX)—from participants with varying levels of musical training. Regression analyses were employed to model relationships among variables. Results show: (1) prior gaming experience and higher task difficulty significantly predict increased subjective cognitive load; (2) musical expertise does not reduce subjective load but significantly improves task accuracy and is associated with heightened physiological arousal; (3) musical training enhances performance via implicit sensorimotor coupling, offering novel evidence for expertise-driven reallocation of cognitive resources in immersive VR rhythm tasks.

Technology Category

• Cognitive Modeling & Cognitive Systems: Simulating Human Behavior
• Humans and AI: Game Design — Virtual Humans, NPCs and Autonomous Characters
• Intelligent Robots: Multimodal Perception & Sensor Fusion

Application Category

• User Modeling, Personalization and Recommendation: Metrics for user behavior and evaluating success
• Responsible Web: Machine-in-the-loop, human agency and autonomy
• Economics, Online Markets and Human Computation: Trust and reliance of crowd workers and data experts on GenAI

Abstract

This study explores the relationship between musical training, cognitive load (CL), and task accuracy within the virtual reality (VR) exergame Beat Saber across increasing levels of difficulty. Participants (N=32) completed a series of post-task questionnaires after playing the game under three task difficulty levels while having their physiological data measured by an Emotibit. Using regression analyses, we found that task difficulty and gaming experience significantly predicted subjective CL, whereas musical training did not. However, musical training significantly predicted higher task accuracy, along with lower subjective CL, increased gaming experience, and greater physiological arousal. These results suggest that musical training enhances task-specific performance but does not directly reduce subjective CL. Future research should consider alternative methods of grouping musical expertise and the additional predictability of flow and self-efficacy.

Problem

• Examining how musical training affects VR exergame performance
• Assessing impact of task difficulty on cognitive load
• Exploring predictors of task accuracy in rhythm games

Innovation

• VR exergame measures cognitive load and accuracy
• Emotibit collects physiological data during gameplay
• Regression analyses link music training to accuracy