Vienna, Austria: The video calls made through Zoom changed direct communication in the early days of the pandemic in an effective way, and many companies have not looked back since. This resulted in the creation of the term “Zoom fatigue”, which means feeling tired after spending a long time on video calls.
In a study published in scientific reports, Austria’s Graz University of Technology referenced the experiences of 35 students’ brain and heart activities to scan the concept of Zoom fatigue, revealing that it is not just a feeling, but a medical issue.
Electrodes were placed on the heads and chests of the children. Half of the students participated in a 50-minute lecture through video conference, while the rest attended the conference on their own. Researchers also used electroencephalogram (EEG) and electrocardiogram (ECG) to record electrical activity in the students’ brains and heartbeats.
The results showed that individuals who participated in the conference through video had a higher level of fatigue and their brains were struggling to concentrate. They also felt more agitated, while the students who attended the lecture in person reported being happier and more active.