Virtual meetings tire people because we're doing them wrong
New research suggests sleepiness during virtual meetings is caused by mental underload and boredom. Earlier studies suggested that fatigue from virtual meetings stems from mental overload, but new research from Aalto University shows that sleepiness during virtual meetings might actually be a result of mental underload and boredom.
鈥業 expected to find that people get stressed in remote meetings. But the result was the opposite 鈥 especially those who were not engaged in their work quickly became drowsy during remote meetings,鈥 says Assistant Professor Niina Nurmi, who led the study.
The researchers measured heart rate variability during virtual meetings and face-to-face meetings, examining different types of fatigue experiences among 44 knowledge workers across nearly 400 meetings. The team at Aalto collaborated with researchers at the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, where stress and recovery are studied using heart rate monitors. The was published in the Journal of Occupational Health Psychology.
鈥榃e combined physiological methods with ethnographic research. We shadowed each subject for two workdays, recording all events with time stamps, to find out the sources of human physiological responses,鈥 Nurmi says.
The study also included a questionnaire to identify people's general attitude and work engagement.
鈥楾he format of a meeting had little effect on people who were highly engaged and enthusiastic about their work. They were able to stay active even during virtual meetings. On the other hand, workers whose work engagement was low and who were not very enthusiastic about their work found virtual meetings very tiring.鈥
It鈥檚 easier to maintain focus in face-to-face meetings than virtual ones, as the latter have limited cognitive cues and sensory input. 鈥楨specially when cameras are off, the participant is left under-stimulated and may start to compensate by multitasking,鈥 Nurmi explains.
Although an appropriate level of stimulation is generally beneficial for the brain, multitasking during virtual meetings is problematic. Only highly automated tasks, such as walking, can be properly carried out during a virtual meeting.
"Walking and other automated activities can boost your energy levels and help you to concentrate on the meeting. But if you're trying to focus on two things that require cognitive attention simultaneously, you can't hear if something important is happening in the meeting. Alternatively, you have to constantly switch between tasks. It鈥檚 really taxing for the brain,鈥 Nurmi says.
5 things everyone should know about virtual meetings
Is it worth inviting everyone to a virtual meeting? Do you stare at your own picture on the screen? Assistant Professor Niina Nurmi discusses some of the best practices from remote meetings, based on...
Ota yhteytt盲:
Read more news
New ultrasonic needle yields samples 2鈥3 times larger, potentially reshaping cancer diagnostics
Developed at Aalto University over several years, a new ultrasonic needle for tumour diagnostics has been trialled in collaboration with Helsinki University Hospital (HUS). According to the resulting peer-reviewed study, salivary gland tumours could be diagnosed with far greater precision using the innovative needle.
Music industry stakeholders: the industry鈥檚 value will double by 2040 through large-scale equality initiatives
The industry aims to establish a self-regulatory body and double the value of the music industry, as outlined in the report 鈥淎n Equal Music Industry in Finland by 2040鈥, to be published 11 May.
Research becomes real-world solutions in autumn exhibition 鈥 Designs for a Cooler Planet showcases work by researchers and students
Aalto University鈥檚 largest annual exhibition, Designs for a Cooler Planet, will point the way to the future this autumn. It will feature more than 20 practical solutions, experiments and ideas from researchers and students.