As remote work becomes a standard practice for many, video calls have become a vital aspect of daily communication.
Most video conferencing platforms allow users to set virtual backgrounds, raising the question: Do these backgrounds affect how fatigued individuals feel after a video call? Recent research suggests that video backgrounds can increase fatigue levels compared to other background types, while nature scenes may help enhance focus.
During the pandemic, working from home became commonplace. Even after restrictions eased, video conferencing continued to play a significant role in both professional and personal interactions, allowing individuals to connect with family and friends, as well as attend virtual events.
However, spending extensive hours on video calls can lead to exhaustion, which can manifest as physical, emotional, or cognitive tiredness—a phenomenon referred to as videoconferencing fatigue (VF). Researchers in Singapore aimed to explore the connection between virtual backgrounds and VF, as well as the mechanisms behind it.
Heng Zhang, a co-author of the study published in Frontiers in Psychology and a researcher at the Nanyang Technological University Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information.
“We show that the use of different types and contents of virtual backgrounds can contribute to VF. Users who utilize video virtual backgrounds experience higher levels of VF compared to those who use image or blurred virtual backgrounds,” Zhang stated.
To investigate this further, the researchers conducted a survey with over 600 participants, asking about their use of virtual backgrounds and the types they selected (static image, blurred image, video, or no virtual background). Participants, aged between 22 and 76 years and working from home around three days a week, rated their VF on a five-point scale encompassing general, visual, social, motivational, and emotional fatigue.
The results indicated that participants using video backgrounds reported the highest levels of VF, followed by those using blurred backgrounds, while users of static images experienced the lowest fatigue. Zhang explained that our brains automatically react to new information in our environment, consuming cognitive resources and increasing cognitive load, which leads to VF.
Researchers found that the amount of new information in the background plays a crucial role.
“Image backgrounds initially present new information, but users might gradually shift their attention elsewhere. Blurred backgrounds don’t introduce new information, but users may occasionally glimpse the real environment, which presents new information. Video backgrounds, however, continuously introduce new information, constantly interrupting users’ attention and demanding cognitive resources.”
The study also highlighted the importance of the depicted environment in the background. Zhang noted that users with nature-themed backgrounds reported lower levels of VF than those using other backgrounds. In contrast, backgrounds resembling office settings or public spaces may increase the pressure to self-present, leading to greater fatigue.
“In a work setting, a nature-themed image background might be the ideal choice,” Zhang suggested.
Interestingly, participants using lighthearted or humorous backgrounds in relaxed settings reported the lowest levels of VF. The authors emphasized the importance of choosing backgrounds appropriately, as different contexts warrant different types. Thoughtful background selection can enhance meeting effectiveness and improve participants’ psychological experiences, potentially reducing fatigue.
This research lays a foundation for optimizing the videoconferencing experience and guiding users toward more informed choices. These findings may be particularly beneficial for individuals using video calls in their professional lives, helping them maintain well-being while maximizing the advantages of remote work.
Despite these insights, the authors noted that further studies are needed to examine how different age groups and video call purposes influence the relationship between virtual backgrounds and VF. Additionally, understanding the impact of other participants’ backgrounds on VF could provide valuable insights.
“A more comprehensive understanding of the role of virtual backgrounds in videoconferencing could yield targeted recommendations for future research and practice,” Zhang concluded.
