At Emotiv, we constantly strive to push the boundaries of possibilities for real-world neuroscience applications. Our mission to develop technology to enhance the well-being of others is exemplified through our partnerships and collaborations with influential and innovative companies worldwide. We partnered with the commercial real estate company JLL in an exciting workplace neuroscience study that leveraged cutting-edge neuroscience technology to provide data-driven office design insights.
The study used our EPOC X EEG headsets to evaluate how different office environments influence employees’ cognitive engagement, effort, and well-being. The results provide a promising pathway that capitalizes on modern technology to design workspaces that foster healthier, more engaging employee experiences.
The Role of Neuroscience in Workplace Design
Neuroscience has become a critical tool for workplace design, particularly as organizations seek to create environments that optimize employee performance and mental health. By measuring brain activity in real-time through electroencephalography (EEG), Emotiv can assess key cognitive and emotional metrics, such as attention, cognitive load, interest, and engagement. These insights can reveal how external factors like lighting, air quality, privacy, and ergonomics impact an employee’s ability to focus and perform.
This data empowers companies to move beyond guesswork and make informed design choices that foster creativity and efficiency. As the line between physical and mental workspaces blurs, neuroscience offers the clarity needed to create spaces that truly support employees’ cognitive needs.
Above: Demonstrating the EPOC X to JLL employees and comparing mental well-being across different workspaces.
The Tokyo Study
We conducted a study in collaboration with JLL during their office relocation in Tokyo. The move from their old office to a newly designed space provided an opportunity to investigate how physical work environments affect employee wellbeing and productivity. By equipping participants with Emotiv’s EEG headsets, we were able to measure their brain activity during work tasks in both the old and new offices.
The study captured cognitive and emotional metrics—such as cognitive load, engagement, and interest levels—between the two environments. This was combined with subjective psychological surveys, allowing us to correlate brain data with perceived experiences. The study provided unique insights into how the redesigned office environment influenced employee performance and wellbeing.
"Understanding real-time cognitive load can help optimize workloads and prevent burnout while tracking attention and engagement can fine-tune work environments to promote better collaboration and focus."
Through our partnership with JLL, Emotiv has demonstrated the powerful impact of neuroscience on office design. As companies rethink their workspaces in the modern era, leveraging data-driven insights from neuroscience will be key to creating environments that inspire and empower employees.
Key Findings and Benefits
The results from the JLL study were revealing. In the new office, employees demonstrated higher cognitive load and increased interest, suggesting the new environment was more mentally stimulating. Among employees who reported satisfaction with their new space, excitement increased by 9%, interest by 11%, and engagement by 3%. Furthermore, those who felt the new office improved their productivity saw an 8% rise in both excitement and interest.
One consistent observation was the negative correlation between stress and engagement. Regardless of location, as perceived stress increased, engagement decreased, highlighting the critical role stress management plays in workplace performance.
The findings also demonstrated that the new office’s improvements—such as better air quality, natural light, and ergonomic workstations—not only reduced stress but also led to greater cognitive engagement. Employees reported feeling more productive and satisfied in the new environment, a testament to the importance of designing with well-being in mind.
Neuroscience for Business
The workplace is no longer just a space for task completion—it’s a dynamic environment that plays a critical role in employee wellbeing and performance.
The applications of workplace neuroscience extend far beyond office design. By leveraging Emotiv’s EEG technology, businesses can unlock valuable insights into both performance and wellness.
Understanding real-time cognitive load can help optimize workloads and prevent burnout, while tracking attention and engagement can fine-tune work environments to promote better collaboration and focus. Additionally, employees can experience greater benefits from wellness programs by providing them tools to gain insight into their emotional and cognitive patterns, which can assist them with personalized strategies for stress management and improved focus.
By investing in neuroscience-driven solutions, companies can create workspaces that enhance creativity, reduce stress, and ultimately drive business success.
Partner with Emotiv
With a unique blend of scientific expertise and technological innovation in EEG devices, EMOTIV is a leader in the field. Our team includes PhD researchers and technologists with expertise in neuroscience and data science to support your projects. This powerful combination of skills enables us to provide tailored support throughout the entire lifecycle of your project, encompassing experiment design, data capture, analysis, and comprehensive reporting, all facilitated through our advanced EEG devices.
