Using a cell phone to take a break during mentally challenging tasks can't effectively recharge the brain and performance may deteriorate, new research found. The experiment assigned college students to solve challenging sets of word puzzles. Halfway through, some were allowed to take breaks with their mobile phones. Others took breaks using paper or a computer, while others took no breaks at all.
The participants who took phone breaks experienced the highest levels of mental exhaustion and were among the least able to solve the puzzles afterwards. Their efficiency and speed after the break was comparable to that without a break. Their number of word problems solved after the break was slightly better than those who did not take a break, but worse than all the other participants.
Participants who took a break on their mobile phone took 19% more time to complete the rest of the task, and solved 22% fewer problems than those in the other break conditions combined.
The 414 participants were given sets of 20 word puzzles. Some were given a break midway through, where they were told to choose three items to purchase within a specific budget, using their cell phone, a paper circular, or a computer. They were asked to type or write down the reasons for their selections.
