Effects of task difficulty and music expertise in virtual reality: Observations of cognitive load and task accuracy in a rhythm exergame

Abstract

This study explores the relationship between musical training, cognitive load (CL), and task accuracy within the virtual reality (VR) exergame Beat Saber across increasing levels of difficulty. Participants (N=32) completed a series of post-task questionnaires after playing the game under three task difficulty levels while having their physiological data measured by an Emotibit. Using regression analyses, we found that task difficulty and gaming experience significantly predicted subjective CL, whereas musical training did not. However, musical training significantly predicted higher task accuracy, along with lower subjective CL, increased gaming experience, and greater physiological arousal. These results suggest that musical training enhances task-specific performance but does not directly reduce subjective CL. Future research should consider alternative methods of grouping musical expertise and the additional predictability of flow and self-efficacy.