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Computer Mouse Movements as an Indicator of Work Stress: Longitudinal Observational Field Study
Nicolas Banholzer1, Stefan Feuerriegel1, Elgar Fleisch2,3
1Department of Management, Technology and Economics, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
Journal of Medical Internet Research
|February 26, 2021
Summary
Monitoring employee stress is crucial, especially with digital transformation. This study found that work stress is linked to changes in computer mouse movements, specifically a speed-accuracy trade-off, suggesting mouse data can indicate stress levels.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Health
- Human-Computer Interaction
- Psychology
Background:
- Work stress negatively impacts employee health and well-being.
- Digital transformation necessitates new methods for monitoring employee stress.
- Proactive stress monitoring can mitigate adverse health effects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between computer mouse movements and work stress.
- To determine if mouse movement patterns can serve as an indicator of employee stress.
Main Methods:
- A longitudinal field study was conducted over 7 weeks with 70 subjects.
- Computer mouse movements during regular work activities were monitored.
- A Bayesian regression model analyzed the association between self-reported stress and mouse movement speed-accuracy trade-offs.
Main Results:
- A significant negative association was found between work stress and the speed-accuracy trade-off in mouse movements.
- Stress was directly associated with a speed-accuracy trade-off in computer mouse usage.
- These findings remained consistent after controlling for demographic, health, and personality factors.
Conclusions:
- Self-reported acute stress is demonstrably linked to specific computer mouse movement patterns.
- Analysis of computer mouse movements offers a potential objective method for indicating work stress.
- This research supports the use of digital tools for real-time occupational stress assessment.
