An analysis of Psychophysiological Responses in the Prefrontal Cortex Depending on the Use of Universal Tools and Traditional Methods During Agricultural Activities by Individuals With Physical Disabilities Using Mobility Aids

Background and objective: Physical disabilities are significant and permanent limitations in physical capabilities, which make routine tasks and participation in various activities increasingly difficult. This study aimed to investigate the effect of different agricultural activities on prefrontal cortex (PFC) activation in individuals with physical disabilities (IWPDs) using mobility aids, by comparing activities with and without the use of universal tools.Methods: The study involved 26 participants aged between the age of 20 and 65 years, with physical disabilities and utilizing mobility aids. It was conducted at a laboratory within the campus of Konkuk University. Participants engaged in six different agricultural activities: soaking (with/without universal tool), sowing (with/without universal tool), and planting (with/without universal tool), performed in a random order for 180 seconds each. Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS) was used to measure changes in oxyhemoglobin (oxy-HB) concentration in the PFC during each activity.Results: The results indicated that oxy-HB concentration in the overall PFC was significantly lower during planting performed without the use of universal tools (p < .001). During the soaking activity, the use of a universal soaking tool led to lower oxy-HB concentration across the entire PFC (p < .05). During sowing activity performed without universal tools, a lower oxy-HB concentration was observed across the entire PFC (p < .01). Similarly, during planting activity performed without universal tools, a lower concentration of oxy-HB was observed across the entire PFC (p < .01).Conclusion: Overall, engaging in planting without the use of universal tools and utilizing a universal soaking tool can lead to stability through a decrease in oxy-HB concentration. The study concluded that the use of universal tools in agricultural activities affects PFC activation in IWPDs using mobility aids. Specifically, planting without universal tools and soaking with a universal tool led to significantly lower oxy-HB concentrations, indicating potential stability and reduced cognitive load.