DualTask

A Windows desktop app for running a cognitive dual-task experiment. The subject is instructed to keep a mouse cursor inside a randomly moving target while typing 4-digit codes with the other hand. Each trial's raw data and summary scores are saved to an Excel file.

Developed in the NASA Neuroscience Lab by Austin Bollinger.

Download

Get the latest Windows build from the Releases page. Unzip it and run DualTask_v2.2.exe. Keep the _internal folder next to the exe; the program needs it to run.

The public build doesn't include a passcode, so task parameters stay locked. To enable unlocking, see Parameter passcode.

Task modes

Mode	What the subject does
Tracking Only	Keep the white crosshair inside a moving green bubble using their usual mouse hand.
Codes Only	Type each 4-digit code shown at the top of the screen with the other hand. Each code stays up for 5 s, and a code counts as correct only if all four digits are entered before it disappears.
Dual Task	Do both at the same time.

"Run Again" moves through the standard order: Tracking Only → Codes Only → Dual Task.

Session flow

1. Login. Enter a Subject ID (required) and a Session ID (optional).
2. Subjective ratings. Stanford Sleepiness Scale, Subjective Fatigue Scale (Samm-Perelli), and mouse handedness. These are collected once per subject.
3. Task parameters. The parameters are shown but locked. The operator can unlock them with the passcode.
4. Task. Full screen, with a 5-second countdown. Press Esc to end early.
5. Notes. The subject can type optional remarks about the trial.
6. Results. Tracking and code-entry scores, plus options to run again, change parameters, start a new subject, or close.

Parameters

Parameter	Default
Duration (s)	110
Number of codes	20
Code interval ± (s)	5
Max speed (px/tick)	6.0
Min speed (px/tick)	2.0
Mouse gain	1.0

The task mode and an optional buzzer are also set on this screen.

Output

Each trial is saved to the save folder shown on the Task Parameters screen (you can change it there) as:

{SubjectID}[_session{SessionID}]_{mode}_trial{N}_{MM_DD_HHMM}.xlsx

The session part is left out when no Session ID is entered. Each workbook has three tabs:

• Data: raw samples. Tracking columns are elapsed_s, cursor_x, cursor_y, bubble_x, bubble_y, error_px, and code columns are elapsed_s, code, response, rt_s, correct. Dual-task files show both side by side.
• Summary: completion time, IDs, scale ratings, mouse hand, tracking error and time on target, code accuracy and mean correct RT, and the subject's notes.
• Parameters: every task setting used for the trial.

The file is written as soon as the task ends, then saved again with the notes once the subject continues.

Running from source

Requires Windows and Python 3.12 (other 3.x versions will probably work).

pip install openpyxl
python dual_task.py

Building the executable

pip install pyinstaller openpyxl
pyinstaller --noconfirm DualTask_v2.2.spec

The build is written to dist\DualTask_v2.2\. The older .spec files are kept for reference. Use the newest one, because only the newest one bundles passcode.txt.

Parameter passcode

Task parameters are locked behind a passcode so subjects can't change them by accident. The passcode isn't stored in this repository. To set one:

• From source: create passcode.txt next to dual_task.py with the passcode on a single line. Git ignores this file.
• When building: create the same file before running PyInstaller, and it will be bundled into the build.
• In a downloaded release: put passcode.txt inside the _internal folder.

If no passcode file is found, the unlock dialog says so and the parameters stay at their defaults.

License

MIT