NASA TLX: Software for assessing subjective mental workload

• Published in: Behavior research methods Vol. 41; no. 1; pp. 113 - 117
• Main Authors: Cao, Alex, Chintamani, Keshav K., Pandya, Abhilash K., Ellis, R. Darin
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Springer New York 01.02.2009; Psychonomic Society, Inc
• Subjects: Behavioral Science and Psychology; Cognitive Psychology; Demand; Humans; Mental Processes; Mental Recall; Navigation systems; Personal digital assistants; Psychology; R&D; Reaction Time; Research & development; Rotation; Software; Validation studies; Workload; Mental Demand; Mental Workload; Temporal Demand; Ergonomics Society; Workload Level
• ISSN: 1554-351X; 1554-3528; 1554-3528
• DOI: 10.3758/BRM.41.1.113

The NASA Task Load Index (TLX) is a popular technique for measuring subjective mental workload. It relies on a multidimensional construct to derive an overall workload score based on a weighted average of ratings on six subscales: mental demand, physical demand, temporal demand, performance, effort, and frustration level. A program for implementing a computerized version of the NASA TLX is described. The software version assists in simplifying collection, postprocessing, and storage of raw data. The program collects raw data from the subject and calculates the weighted (or unweighted) workload score, which is output to a text file. The program can also be tailored to a specific experiment using a simple input text file, if desired. The program was designed in Visual Studio 2005 and is capable of running on a Pocket PC with Windows CE or on a PC with Windows 2000 or higher. The NASA TLX program is available for free download.