Work rhythm and physiological rhythms in repetitive computer work: Effects of synchronization on well-being

This study tested the hypothesis that asynchrony between the work rhythm and a worker's internal physiological rhythms may be a source of stress in repetitive computer work. Experienced typists (N=20) entered lines of numeric data using a video display terminal in a simulated office environment. Each day of the 2‐day experiment consisted of six 40‐min work periods. The work rhythm was varied between work periods by adjusting the field length of data entry lines (3–13 characters). Breathing and cardiac responses were monitored continuously throughout work periods, and a mood survey was administered at the end of each work period. The extent of synchronization between (1) breathing response and the work rhythm, (2) cardiac response and the work rhythm, and (3) all three measures (breathing and cardiac responses, and the work rhythm) was scored for each work period using cross‐spectral analysis. Synchronization scores were then evaluated as predictors of mood state and physiological response using multiple r...

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