Frequency Based EEG Signal Analysis for Mental Fatigue Detection using Welch's Method of Power Spectral Density

Teja Sri N.*
Department of Biomedical Engineering, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kancheepuram, Tamil Nadu, India.
Periodicity:July - December'2025
DOI : https://doi.org/10.26634/jdp.13.2.22470

Abstract

Mental fatigue is a cognitive condition that results in a decline in attention, performance, and alertness due to prolonged mental activity. It is particularly critical in safety-sensitive environments, such as aviation, transportation, and healthcare. Early mental fatigue detection is essential to prevent accidents and improve operational efficiency. Electroencephalogram (EEG) is a non-invasive method for monitoring brain activity and detecting cognitive states, including mental fatigue. EEG signals exhibit frequency-specific changes when an individual experiences fatigue, especially in the alpha, beta, and theta bands. This paper proposes a frequency-based EEG signal analysis for mental fatigue detection using the Power Spectral Density (PSD) method. The PSD, computed using Welch's algorithm, estimates the power distribution across frequency bands, highlighting fatigue-related changes in brain activity. Welch's method enhances accuracy by averaging periodograms over overlapping EEG segments, enabling effective and real-time mental fatigue detection.

Keywords

Mental Fatigue, EEG, PSD, Welch Method, Frequency Analysis.

How to Cite this Article?

Sri, N. T. (2025). Frequency Based EEG Signal Analysis for Mental Fatigue Detection using Welch's Method of Power Spectral Density. i-manager’s Journal on Digital Signal Processing, 13(2), 34-40. https://doi.org/10.26634/jdp.13.2.22470

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