Researchers from the University of Applied Sciences Upper Austria and Graz University of Technology have provided groundbreaking evidence of ‘Zoom fatigue.’ Published in Scientific Reports, this study moves beyond surveys, using electroencephalography (EEG) and electrocardiography (ECG) to measure exhaustion from video conferencing.
Led by René Riedl and Gernot Müller-Putz, the research compared the effects of traditional in-person lectures with online video conferences. Findings revealed that a 50-minute video call is significantly more exhausting than a face-to-face lecture. This research, part of the ‘Technostress in Organizations’ project funded by the Austrian Science Fund FWF, highlights the impact of digital interactions on our well-being and productivity.
The study emphasizes the need to understand the psychological and physiological aspects of digital communication to develop better-coping mechanisms. As members of the Society for Neuro-Information Systems, Riedl and Müller-Putz advocate for research at the intersection of neuroscience and digital technology, aiming to improve digital tool usage.
In essence, this research confirms the real impact of ‘Zoom fatigue’ and paves the way for healthier digital communication practices.