Biological stress responses to multitasking and work interruptions: A randomized controlled trial.
Level 2 - randomized trial
Individual randomized controlled trial.
PubMed 37542740 · doi:10.1016/j.psyneuen.2023.106358
What was done
A pre-registered randomized controlled trial evaluated 186 healthy adults (mean age: 23.2 ± 4.3 years, 74.7% female, BMI: 22.3 ± 3.1 kg/m²) randomly assigned to one of six experimental conditions: digital single-task, three dual-task variations (two parallel tasks, one interruption), multitasking, or a passive control. Dual- and multitasking conditions included a non-digital sub-task before an examiner, whereas other conditions were fully digital. Biological markers of the sympathetic nervous system (salivary alpha-amylase), hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (cortisol), and immune system (secretory IgA, C-reactive protein), along with perceived stress, were measured across conditions.
What was found
Salivary alpha-amylase significantly changed in work interruption, parallel dual-task, and multitasking conditions, while showing no change in control conditions (no exact numbers, p-values, or effect sizes were reported in the abstract). Cortisol, secretory IgA, and C-reactive protein showed no significant changes over time and no differences between conditions. Perceived stress increased during task execution and decreased afterward in multitasking and parallel dual-task conditions, but did not change in work interruption, single-task, or passive control conditions.
Why it matters
This study differentiates biological stress pathways during digital multitasking, showing that acute task switching activates sympathetic nervous system reactivity and subjective stress rather than acute endocrine or inflammatory responses.
Limits
The abstract provides no exact numerical values, confidence intervals, or statistical test statistics. The sample was restricted to young, healthy, predominantly female participants in a brief laboratory setting, which may not reflect chronic occupational exposure or older populations.
Cited by
- partial Frequent task switching throughout the day decreases end-of-day productivity and increases end-of-day stress, measurable via heart rate variability and immune function.