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With the Covid-19 pandemic, teleworking has become widespread in France. And to continue communicating with colleagues, video calls via Zoom (or other platforms) have become the norm. But did you know that the virtual backgrounds you choose can influence your state of fatigue after an exchange? This is the observation established by scientists from Singapore.
Since the generalization of teleworking during the various confinements, videoconferencing has increased, with companies regularly using this mode of communication to organize work meetings. However, spending several hours like this in front of your screen can be exhausting. Even more so if you choose a bad background.
What is the connection between this felt fatigue and virtual backgrounds?
Scientists in Singapore were interested in “videoconferencing fatigue”, a phenomenon combining physical, emotional and cognitive fatigue. They sought to understand the link between this state and the virtual backgrounds used during these video conferences by each of the participants.
To do this, the researchers conducted a survey of more than 600 participants, aged 22 to 76, who worked from home three times a week. They asked them if they used virtual backgrounds and what type of image – static, blurry, video or no virtual background – they chose. At the same time, the authors also measured fatigue via videoconference using a five-point scale, assessing levels of general, visual, social, motivational and emotional fatigue.
Fatigue that varies depending on the chosen background
Results showed that participants using video backgrounds experienced the highest levels of video conferencing fatigue. Those who opted for blurred backgrounds also experienced greater fatigue than those using a static image. “Our brains automatically react to new information in the environment, which consumes cognitive resources, increases mental load and thus leads to videoconferencing fatigue“says Heng Zhang, co-author of the study and a researcher at the Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information at Nanyang Technological University, Singapore.”We show that using different types and content of virtual backgrounds can contribute to this fatigue, and that users with video backgrounds experience higher levels of fatigue than those using static images or backgrounds. -blurred shots“.
The theme of nature, less tiring than the others
However, scientists observed that the type of image used as wallpaper also influenced fatigue. “Users who choose nature-themed backgrounds report lower fatigue levels than others“, continues Heng Zhang. Conversely, “Backgrounds depicting offices or public spaces can increase the pressure felt by users to behave as if they were actually in these settings, leading to increased fatigue“. For researchers, the ideal choice is therefore a background representing nature or a light and fun background, if the context lends itself to it. These are the ones that generate the least fatigue among their users.
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