Relationship between feedback frequency and task performance: evidence on the mediating role of heart rate

This study looks into the impact of feedback frequency, a source of cognitive load, on heart rate (HR) and heart rate variability (HRV). The experiment was undertaken using a sample of 96 university students, wherein the feedback frequency was manipulated during an arithmetic task performance. Durin...

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Main Authors: Mitali Praveen Kumar Saxena, Venkat Ram Reddy Ganuthula
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-03-01
Series:Frontiers in Psychology
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1438865/full
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author Mitali Praveen Kumar Saxena
Venkat Ram Reddy Ganuthula
author_facet Mitali Praveen Kumar Saxena
Venkat Ram Reddy Ganuthula
author_sort Mitali Praveen Kumar Saxena
collection DOAJ
description This study looks into the impact of feedback frequency, a source of cognitive load, on heart rate (HR) and heart rate variability (HRV). The experiment was undertaken using a sample of 96 university students, wherein the feedback frequency was manipulated during an arithmetic task performance. During the task, participants were instructed to wear the E4 Empatica device, which is used to assess HR and HRV. The metrics used to measure HRV were the Standard Deviation of NN Intervals (SDNN) and Root Mean Square of Successive Differences (RMSSD). The study revealed notable disparities in the average HR values across the three feedback conditions. Optimal performance was achieved when HR was elevated (indicating the highest level of cognitive load) and feedback frequency was moderate. Further, HR mediated the association between feedback frequency and task performance. However, no significant impact of feedback frequency on HRV was found.
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publisher Frontiers Media S.A.
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spelling doaj-art-46ff53b9af594d0a9109ff482a9448d02025-08-20T03:40:57ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Psychology1664-10782025-03-011610.3389/fpsyg.2025.14388651438865Relationship between feedback frequency and task performance: evidence on the mediating role of heart rateMitali Praveen Kumar SaxenaVenkat Ram Reddy GanuthulaThis study looks into the impact of feedback frequency, a source of cognitive load, on heart rate (HR) and heart rate variability (HRV). The experiment was undertaken using a sample of 96 university students, wherein the feedback frequency was manipulated during an arithmetic task performance. During the task, participants were instructed to wear the E4 Empatica device, which is used to assess HR and HRV. The metrics used to measure HRV were the Standard Deviation of NN Intervals (SDNN) and Root Mean Square of Successive Differences (RMSSD). The study revealed notable disparities in the average HR values across the three feedback conditions. Optimal performance was achieved when HR was elevated (indicating the highest level of cognitive load) and feedback frequency was moderate. Further, HR mediated the association between feedback frequency and task performance. However, no significant impact of feedback frequency on HRV was found.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1438865/fullHRHRVcognitive loadfeedback frequencytask performance
spellingShingle Mitali Praveen Kumar Saxena
Venkat Ram Reddy Ganuthula
Relationship between feedback frequency and task performance: evidence on the mediating role of heart rate
Frontiers in Psychology
HR
HRV
cognitive load
feedback frequency
task performance
title Relationship between feedback frequency and task performance: evidence on the mediating role of heart rate
title_full Relationship between feedback frequency and task performance: evidence on the mediating role of heart rate
title_fullStr Relationship between feedback frequency and task performance: evidence on the mediating role of heart rate
title_full_unstemmed Relationship between feedback frequency and task performance: evidence on the mediating role of heart rate
title_short Relationship between feedback frequency and task performance: evidence on the mediating role of heart rate
title_sort relationship between feedback frequency and task performance evidence on the mediating role of heart rate
topic HR
HRV
cognitive load
feedback frequency
task performance
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1438865/full
work_keys_str_mv AT mitalipraveenkumarsaxena relationshipbetweenfeedbackfrequencyandtaskperformanceevidenceonthemediatingroleofheartrate
AT venkatramreddyganuthula relationshipbetweenfeedbackfrequencyandtaskperformanceevidenceonthemediatingroleofheartrate