Impact of Speed-Reading on Reading Speed, Stress and Anxiety Levels

Background: In today’s fast-paced world, quick adaptation and skill development are essential but often stressful. Speed reading and lifelong learning provide vital tools to excel and keep up. Objective: Our study is situated within the context of fast transformation and escalating complexity. We seek to explore speed reading and to comprehend its effect on reading speed, stress, and anxiety. Methodology: The method used in this research was a quantitative research design. Participants underwent a standardised training programme and used an application to do the daily exercises. Reading speed, stress, and anxiety levels were measured before and after the intervention. Results: Results indicate a significant improvement (p < 0.05) in reading speed (-185 words/min), a significant reduction (p < 0.05) in stress level, and a notable decrease in anxiety level despite the short period of the intervention (one month). Conclusion: Speed reading has a significant impact on reading speed, stress decrease, and anxiety control, making it an effective tool for personal and academic development. Unique contribution: This study demonstrates the unique impact of speed-reading techniques in enhancing reading speed while significantly reducing stress and anxiety levels, offering novel insights into their dual cognitive and psychological benefits. Key recommendation: Based on these results, future research should focus on the effect of speed reading on attention, concentration, and intelligence to better understand the impact of this technique on cognitive development and psychological well-being.