Relationship between media multitasking and functional connectivity in the dorsal attention network

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Cognitive Psychology
• Media Studies

Background:

• Digital technology has increased media multitasking behavior.
• Opposing hypotheses exist regarding media multitasking's effect on attention control.
• Research is needed to understand the neurophysiological underpinnings of media multitasking.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of media multitasking on attention.
• To explore the neurophysiological correlates of media multitasking using functional MRI.
• To analyze functional connectivity within the dorsal attention network.

Main Methods:

• 103 healthy subjects participated.
• Media Multitasking Index (MMI) and continuous performance test were administered.
• Resting-state and oddball task functional MRI were used to calculate degree centrality (DC) in the dorsal attention network.

Main Results:

• Degree centrality (DC) in the dorsal attention network was higher during rest than during the oddball task.
• Task-related DC positively correlated with the Media Multitasking Index (MMI).
• High media multitaskers exhibited attenuated DC reduction from rest to task compared to low multitaskers.

Conclusions:

• Media multitasking behavior is associated with altered functional connectivity in the dorsal attention network.
• Findings suggest potential neurophysiological adaptations in heavy media multitaskers.
• This research may indicate brain biomarkers for media multitasking behavior.