BREAKS / 2022
What a short break changes.
Pooled effects favored vigor and reduced fatigue. The overall performance effect was not statistically significant.
METHODRandom-effects meta-analysis
SAMPLE22 independent samples · 2,335 participants
EXPOSUREBreaks of 10 minutes or less
Vigor0.36
95% CI 0.16 to 0.55 · n = 913 · Higher vigor
Fatigue reduction0.35
95% CI 0.19 to 0.50 · n = 803 · Less fatigue
Overall performance0.16
95% CI -0.04 to 0.37 · n = 1132 · Interval includes zero
−0.100.250.60
Dots are pooled estimates; lines are 95% confidence intervals. Zero means no estimated difference. Positive fatigue values represent a reduction in fatigue. Albulescu et al. (2022), Results, effectiveness of micro-breaks
The limits matter.
Tasks and break activities varied. Risk of bias was often unclear. Outcomes use different subsets of participants.
A practical connection.
A bounded break is a reasonable option. This evidence does not establish that a screen-based sculpture improves performance.
Set a unwind session“Give me a break!” A systematic review and meta-analysis on the efficacy of micro-breaks for increasing well-being and performance
Albulescu et al. · 2022 · PLOS ONE
DOI 10.1371/journal.pone.0272460
Source checked 2026-10-05. Numerical entries are extracted published summaries, not participant-level data. No product efficacy claim is made.