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A new study published in the journal Cognitive Processing has revealed that while face masks effectively reduce the spread of infectious illnesses, they may negatively impact mood and focus. Conducted by researchers at the University of Otago—Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka, the study sheds light on how prolonged mask use affects emotional well-being and cognitive performance.
The study, led by Associate Professor Liana Machado from the Department of Psychology, found that participants who wore a mask for approximately eight hours reported feeling less happy and more tense. Additionally, their ability to focus on tasks while ignoring distractions was diminished compared to when they were not wearing masks.
Key Findings
The research involved 42 university students aged 18–36, who participated in two laboratory sessions spaced a week apart. In one session, participants wore surgical masks for eight hours before and during testing, while in the other session, they were maskless.
During both sessions, mood and cognitive abilities were assessed.
- Mood Impacts: Masked participants reported reduced happiness and increased tension.
- Cognitive Effects: Performance on an attention-focused test was worse during the mask-wearing session. However, no significant decline was observed in other cognitive tasks.
Concern for Vulnerable Groups
The results surprised Associate Professor Machado, who noted that university-aged students are typically at their cognitive peak. “In terms of cognitive development, most people reach their peak abilities in their 20s, making typical university-aged students more resilient than most,” she said.
These findings raise concerns about potential impacts on more vulnerable populations, such as older adults, people with anxiety or depression, and individuals with pre-existing respiratory conditions.
“Most of the cognitive difficulties appear to be driven largely by people who felt anxious wearing a mask,” Machado explained. “Dedicated research into how masks affect these populations is a vital next step.”
Implications for Public Health
The study highlights the need to balance the benefits of mask-wearing with its potential psychological and cognitive drawbacks, particularly under mandatory mask regulations.
“Once we arm people with knowledge, they will be able to make better decisions to limit any adverse impacts while ensuring they are protected from communicable diseases,” Machado concluded.
The research team emphasized that further investigation is needed to explore these effects in different demographic groups and to develop strategies to mitigate any adverse outcomes.
For more information, see the original study: Effects of wearing a surgical face mask on cognitive functioning and mood states: a randomized controlled trial in young adults by Neda Nasrollahi et al., published in Cognitive Processing (2024).
