The effect of socially evaluated multitasking stress on typing rhythms

Area of Science:

• Psychophysiology
• Human-Computer Interaction
• Biometrics

Background:

• The fight-flight response to stress is known to alter physiological and state variables.
• Stress impacts muscle tone and motor control, potentially affecting fine motor skills like typing.
• Individual typing rhythms are unique and influenced by factors beyond simple motor control.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate if typing rhythms can be used to identify individuals experiencing stress.
• To determine if universal keystroke markers of stress exist.
• To explore the potential of typing rhythm analysis for health and well-being monitoring.

Main Methods:

• 116 participants underwent a multitasking stressor for 15 minutes.
• Cardiovascular, hemodynamic, and state variables were measured before, during, and after stress.
• Typing rhythm data (keystroke dynamics) were collected and analyzed using machine learning algorithms.

Main Results:

• Multitasking stress induced significant and robust changes in all measured stress indicators.
• Machine learning accurately classified stressed typing based on individual typing rhythms.
• No universal keystroke markers of stress were identified; classification markers were individual-specific.

Conclusions:

• Typing rhythms can effectively differentiate between stressed and non-stressed individuals on a personalized basis.
• Individualized typing rhythm changes offer potential for real-time stress monitoring.
• This approach may aid in the early detection of conditions affecting fine motor control and inform general well-being.