Research by David Strayer, a psychology professor at the University of Utah, indicates that only about 2 per cent of the population can effectively multitask. Most individuals experience a decline in performance when attempting to juggle multiple tasks.
However, a study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences offers hope, suggesting that multitasking skills can be improved through training.
Training programme examines brain changes during multitasking
A team of researchers from The University of Queensland in Australia sought to determine whether targeted training could enhance multitasking abilities. They recruited 100 participants for their study, employing brain imaging technology to observe changes in cognitive function throughout the training process.
Participants engaged in two tasks: pressing a button when the correct shape appeared on a screen and responding to specific sounds. Although these tasks do not mirror typical daily multitasking scenarios, they are commonly used in cognitive studies. Initially, participants practiced each task individually before attempting to complete them simultaneously while undergoing MRI scans.
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As expected, participants took longer and made more errors when trying to perform both tasks at once. Subsequently, the researchers divided the participants into two groups. The training group engaged in multitasking practice over three days, while the control group focused on visual training unrelated to multitasking, ensuring both groups remained equally motivated.
Significant improvements observed in multitasking group
After three days, both groups retook the multitasking test while their brain activity was monitored. Both groups showed improvement, but the training group demonstrated significantly greater gains in speed and accuracy during multitasking compared to the control group.
The training method consisted of practicing each task individually before attempting them simultaneously, indicating that simple repetition may enhance multitasking skills.
Researchers focused on the frontoparietal and subcortical (FP-SC) brain regions, which are crucial for executing multiple tasks. Contrary to previous hypotheses suggesting that training would disengage these areas, the study found that training activated more specific subregions of the FP-SC. This suggests that multitasking training refines the neural coding involved in task performance, enhancing efficiency.
While this study highlights the potential for improving multitasking abilities, it does come with caveats. Participants performed the tasks a staggering 1,008 times, raising questions about the training’s applicability to other types of multitasking.
Additionally, the brain regions involved in more complex multitasking activities—such as walking while texting or managing multiple work tasks—may differ significantly and resist improvement through similar training.
Despite these limitations, the findings suggest that engaging in activities that require multitasking can lead to improvements over time. However, individuals should remain aware that focusing on one task at a time is likely to yield greater efficiency in most situations.
