Evaluating the Relationship Between Multimedia Viewing, Sedentary Behavior, and Executive Function: a Systematic Review

Abstract

Research and discussions over the relationship between executive function, multimedia viewing, and sedentary human behavior are becoming increasingly popular throughout academia and mainstream media. While some studies report screen-viewing behavior as being associated with reduced levels of physical activity, other studies have also reported associations with higher levels of cognitive activity. The aim of this paper is to establish the relationship between multimedia viewing, sedentary behavior, and executive function. In achieving this aim, the main objectives are to (1) identify a framework to specify core characteristics of visual stimuli that may influence behavior and (2) identify the ways executive functions may mediate the interpretation of visual media. Literature searches were conducted in the Cochrane Library, PsychInfo and PsychArticles, PubMed, Science Direct, Scopus, and Web of Science. Methods of assessment reported in the literature were predominantly reliant on experimenter observation and participant self-report, without psychometric, empirical, or objective measurement of the core variables under study. Despite a sizable proportion of research conducting large-scale experiments and/or secondary analysis of data from longitudinal databases, there were no indications of the characteristics or styles of visual stimuli used. The myriad of published works range in methodological design, resource, and stimuli use or sample population. Raising a question of comparability and replicability, recommendations are made for researchers in reporting multimedia stimuli and importance in addressing the role of cognitive engagement and social interaction within the methodological design and reporting.