A Thematic Synthesis of HCI for Productivity and Wellbeing: Findings from a Systematic Review

Abstract

Human–Computer Interaction (HCI) has become a critical driver of productivity and wellbeing across diverse industries. This paper presents a systematic literature review (SLR) of HCI research published between 2003 and 2025. Following PRISMA guidelines (Liberati et al. 2009; Moher et al. 2009), 450 studies were identified across ACM, IEEE, Elsevier, Springer, Scopus, and ScienceDirect. After title/abstract screening (n=115) and full-text quality assessment, 30 studies meeting reliability and validity criteria were selected for thematic analysis. The experimental setup involved a structured database search, a two-stage screening protocol, and thematic coding of findings across five domains: healthcare, education, industrial environments, workplace productivity, and digital wellbeing. Data analysis followed a narrative synthesis approach, identifying patterns across domains through iterative categorisation. Four primary themes emerge: user-centred design for performance enhancement; healthcare and assistive interaction systems; interfaces supporting cognitive and emotional wellbeing; and adaptive or multimodal interaction technologies. Usability, accessibility, and contextual design consistently emerge as critical success factors. While HCI delivers measurable gains, significant gaps persist in standardised evaluation metrics, longitudinal assessment, and cross-domain integration. This study provides a structured synthesis and identifies key directions for future human-centred digital system design.

Keywords: Human–computer Interaction, Systematic Literature Review, Productivity, Wellbeing, Usability

DOI: 10.54941/ahfe1007527