Study suggests working on a reMarkable paper tablet can make you less stressed and more creative
Focusing on a single task while working on a reMarkable paper tablet — a digital notebook designed for writing and reading — is significantly less stressful than on a PC, new research finds.
The power of distraction-free work
In the study, commissioned by reMarkable and conducted by neuroscientist Dr. Thomas Zoëga Ramsøy, 60 participants were pseudorandomly assigned to use either a paper tablet or a computer. They then performed tasks involving reading, learning, creativity, multitasking, and memory recall.
The scientific study tracked biometric responses, such as electroencephalogram (EEG) brain monitoring and heart rate variability (HRV), to measure the participants’ performance. The results showed:
Dramatically lower stress levels and cognitive load:
Using a paper tablet required less mental effort compared to a PC, resulting in a 35% reduction in stress levels and a 30% reduction in cognitive load.
Boosts in creativity and memory retention:
Participants’ verbal and visual creativity was 25% higher when using a paper tablet. Moreover, paper tablet users outperformed PC users on recall for story memory and verbal memory by 17%.
Substantial increases in focus and deep thinking:
When using a paper tablet, participants showed 20% higher levels of brain-related signals of focus. Likewise, participants showed stronger signals of deep processing and immersion by 17%.
“Our results suggest that using a reMarkable paper tablet lets users focus more on the task at hand, and without distractions,” said Dr. Thomas Zoëga Ramsøy, the author of the study.
A space to think
Many knowledge workers struggle with digital distractions, “technostress,” and information overload — all of which diminish their ability to focus on complex tasks. One solution to these challenges is to use devices that are designed to limit distractions.
reMarkable’s latest paper tablet, reMarkable Paper Pro, in December became the first paper tablet in the world to become Calm Tech Certified. Introduced by the Calm Tech Institute in New York, the certification program recognizes technology that prioritizes user well-being by reducing their stress and cognitive load. reMarkable Paper Pro received one of the highest scores for any product tested.
“Deep, uninterrupted thinking is a rare and valuable resource in the modern office environment,” said Phil Hess, CEO of reMarkable. “But reclaiming our ability to focus doesn’t mean disconnecting from technology. We need better technology — calm technology — that nurtures our inherent ability for abstract, creative thought.”
When focusing on a single task while working on a reMarkable paper tablet versus a PC, participants exhibited:
35% lower stress levels
30% lower cognitive demand
25% increase in creative thinking
20% stronger focus
17% more deep thinking
17% better memory
A note on study design
The study involved 60 working professionals between the ages of 25-44. Participants were randomly assigned into two groups: one working on a PC; the other, a reMarkable 2 paper tablet.
The study only looked at the short-term effects of using a paper tablet. More research on the long-term effects of using a paper tablet will be needed to substantiate claims further. The expectation is that the observed effect will accumulate as stronger long-term effects, as the brain needs to learn that it will not be disturbed.
The study is currently under publication in a leading scientific journal. A preprint of the manuscript is available here.
About the Author
Adrian Gunning Adrian lives in Melbourne Australia and has a huge passion for gaming, technology and pop culture. He recently finished his a Bachelor of Journalism and is currently focusing on games journalism. When not writing and playing video games, Adrian can be found in Comics 'R' Us debating the pros of the DC Universe and cons of the Marvel Universe.
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