App-based self-trainings targeting strain recovery and their effect on concentration

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Occupational Health
• Digital Health

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic led to widespread concentration difficulties among knowledge workers.
• Concentration is vital for cognitive wellbeing and professional achievement.
• Strain experienced during the pandemic is a potential cause of impaired concentration.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate if strengthening strain recovery can support concentration in stressful periods.
• To evaluate the efficacy of a smartphone application, "swoliba," for recovery training.

Main Methods:

• Development of the "swoliba" smartphone app with self-training exercises for recovery.
• A 4-week intervention study involving two intervention groups and one waitlist-control group.
• Participants completed exercises and surveys during 2020/2021.

Main Results:

• Intervention groups reported significantly higher concentration levels compared to the control group.
• Participants in intervention groups experienced lower strain levels.
• The positive impact on concentration was partially mediated by reduced strain.

Conclusions:

• Smartphone-based self-training apps can be effective tools for recovery interventions.
• The "swoliba" app effectively reduced strain and improved concentration.
• Digital recovery interventions show promise for supporting knowledge workers' wellbeing and performance.