Effects of multitasking and task interruptions on task performance and cognitive load: considering the moderating role of individual resilience.

Given the complex presentation of multi-source information and the intertwining and fusion of task types, multitasking and task interruptions have become the norm of human-machine cooperative operations in complex industrial systems. Aiming to address nested and overlapping multitasking and task interruptions, this study investigated their interaction mechanisms on task performance and cognitive load. The study utilized AX-CPT and VFT to form a multitasking situation, and simple math problems with positive and negative judgments to form a task interruption. It tested the task performance of 30 subjects under task interruptions (with interruption vs. without interruption) with different task types (single task vs. multitasking) and analyzed the interaction effects of multitasking and task interruptions on task performance and cognitive load. Finally, the study aimed to verify the moderating role of individual resilience. The results showed that (1) multitasking resulted in a significant decrease in correctness, a significant increase in reaction time, and a significant increase in cognitive load; (2) Task interruptions significantly increased reaction time and cognitive load, while they decreased task correctness only during monotasking; this effect was not significant in multitasking; (3) Moderate and high resilience significantly modulated the increase in cognitive load associated with task interruptions during multitasking. These findings are instrumental in optimizing human-machine collaborative job scheduling, enhancing workflow efficiency, identifying the equilibrium between task performance and cognitive load, and providing crucial support for task management and performance improvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]