The effect of socially evaluated multitasking stress on typing rhythms

Abstract

Individuals have unique typing rhythms characterized by specific keystroke dynamics. Changes in state and cardiovascular responding are well documented manifestations of the fight‐flight response to stress. However, as stress also leads to changes in muscle tone and motor control, typing rhythms may also be impacted. We aim to determine which individuals are experiencing stress through their typing rhythms and identify universal keystroke markers of stress. Participants (N = 116) typed 80 repetitions of a 6‐word, 30‐character phrase before and after 15 min of critically evaluated multitasking stress. Cardiovascular, hemodynamic, and state variables were compared across baseline, stress, and recovery periods and measures of typing rhythm were derived for each period and classified using machine‐learning algorithms. Critically evaluated multitasking led to significant changes in all stress measures, demonstrating highly robust stress reactivity. Machine learning algorithms accurately classified stressed typing for each individual based on their typing rhythms; however, no universal keystroke markers of stress were identified. Using typing rhythms. We were able to determine whether an individual was stressed or not, but the markers used for classification differed between individuals. These individual changes may provide opportunities for identifying stressful periods through keystroke monitoring, as well as the potential for early identification of disorders which may impact fine motor control. Typing rhythms could therefore be used to monitor health and well‐being in individuals who use keyboards in various situations. This is the first rigorous assessment of stress and typing rhythms and has led to the development of a feasible and highly reproducible research protocol.