Videoconferencing fatigue (VCF) is a common feeling around the world, especially among people working remotely or hybridly, but a new scientific study reveals the real effects of spending too long on video calls.
Researchers from Austrian universities have evidence showing the effects of use Zoom, Teamsand the like, on electroencephalography (EEG), electrocardiography (ECG), heart rate and heart rate variability.
Furthermore, the October 2023 study shows that the physiological effects of videoconferencing on the human body should not be ignored and that employers and academic institutions should reassess their trust in the tools.
Video conferencing fatigue is very real
The frequency of the brain signal was measured using EEG, and a clear increase in higher-level frequencies typically associated with concentration, attention and stress was observed, compared to face-to-face encounters.
The study also revealed changes in heart rate variability that show continued signs of fatigue during an online lecture or phone call.
Although the researchers noted that the study revolved around a lecture and not a phone call, and that the study was conducted on a college campus and not outside of it – with participants with an average age of 24, this early research highlighted that communicating faces face-to-face versus from behind a screen can have a significant impact on the human body.
While it is clear that more research is needed, the study authors conclude: “our results suggest that the use of videoconferencing may lead to cognitive costs that should not be ignored by individuals and organizations.”
The researchers note the projected 10% annual increase in the videoconferencing market between now and 2032 and suggest taking a closer look at the in-person/online divide, rather than the total abstinence from videoconferencing.