Cardiovascular responses to pleasure-based versus task-based screen engagement: An experimental crossover study.

Background: Digital screen use is pervasive, yet different engagement modes, relaxing versus task-focused, may have distinct acute cardiovascular and emotional effects. Comparative within-subject data are limited. Aim: To compare cardiovascular and affective responses to pleasure-based versus task-based screen engagement in healthy young adults. Materials and Methods: This experimental crossover study was conducted on Sixty-three healthy regular screen users (18–35 years) who completed two randomized conditions in a single 60-minute session: pleasure-based viewing (entertaining videos) and task-based engagement (cognitive tasks). Each protocol included a 10-minute seated baseline, 15-minute first condition, 10-minute washout, and 15-minute second condition. Heart rate (HR) and heart rate variability (HRV) were recorded continuously, and blood pressure (BP) was measured pre- and post-condition. Subjective stress and enjoyment (VAS 0–10) and affect (PANAS) were assessed after each condition. Paired t-tests were applied, with p < 0.05 considered significant. Results: Participants (32 males, 31 females; mean age 24.1 ± 3.9 years; BMI 23.4 ± 3.1 kg/m²) reported a mean daily screen time of 4.8 ± 1.3 hours. HR increased from 74.3 ± 7.8 bpm during pleasure-based viewing to 82.9 ± 8.5 bpm during task-based engagement (p < 0.001). Systolic/diastolic BP rose from 115.6 ± 8.1/74.9 ± 6.4 mmHg to 121.8 ± 8.9/78.7 ± 6.9 mmHg (all p < 0.001). HRV indices showed reduced SDNN and RMSSD and a higher LF/HF ratio during task-based use, indicating sympathetic predominance. VAS stress was higher (5.8 ± 1.7 vs 2.3 ± 1.3) and enjoyment lower (5.1 ± 1.5 vs 7.9 ± 1.1), with decreased positive and increased negative affect (all p < 0.001). Conclusion: Task-based screen engagement produces greater cardiovascular activation and a less favourable emotional profile than pleasure-based viewing in healthy young adults. Recommendations: Digital work schedules should limit prolonged, uninterrupted task-based screen use, incorporate short breaks, and promote screen hygiene.