Effects on auditory attention and walking while texting with a smartphone and walking on stairs

Abstract

Effects of texting with a smartphone while walking on stairs in a building were investigated. Twenty-four students performed an auditory detection task for 60 s while using (texting condition) or not using (holding condition) an iPhone 5s. Half of the participants (walking group) performed the signal detection task while walking up the stairs and half of the participants (standing group) performed the task while standing still. Results showed that participants in the texting condition responded significantly more slowly to the targets and missed more targets than in the holding condition. Participants in the walking group missed more auditory targets. We also found a large effect size of smartphone use on a walking performance. Results of our present study can be used as evidence to show the risk of using smartphones, especially on stairs.