Masking sounds in an open-plan workspace to redistribute the mental workload

Abstract

Open-plan workspaces (OPW) present a unique challenge in terms of the Acoustic Environment (AE), as they can significantly impact employees' cognitive performance and overall well-being. Studies have shown that poor AE can increase mental workload (MWL) and result in heightened stress levels, ultimately leading to reduced productivity. This study investigates the effectiveness of incorporating natural sounds to mask unwanted noise in OPW and its impact on workers' cognitive performance and well-being. Two experimental sessions were conducted: one with no masking sound and the other with natural sound masking. The participants evaluated their MWL and the quality of the AE in each session, and electroencephalography signals were recorded to measure Event-related Desynchronization and Synchronization (ERD-ERS) as indicators of MWL. The results demonstrated that masking sounds significantly enhanced participants' performance perception and reduced negative emotions. The study found that masking sound improved the overall quality of the AE and increased participants' focus on their tasks, as shown by brain patterns. This study suggests that natural sound masking is a promising approach to mitigate the negative effects of noise in OPWs, which can lead to improved cognitive performance and subjective well-being among employees.