This is an angle of VR that hadn't occurred to me other than entertainment.
> Start multi-tasking with your virtual reality headset
For iOS, some "multi-tasking" features include "switch between apps by double clicking the home button and selecting a recent app", and split view.
Windows considers "window snapping" to be a multi-tasking feature.
As we all know, multi-tasking isn't really thinking about two things at the same time, it's switching between those two things very rapidly. When it comes to technology, you can hardcore multi-task by having 5 video chats going while watching a youtube tutorial and writing your grocery list (which is more along the lines of the study you linked), or else you "multi-task" by having plenty of windows open in a larger viewing area to lessen the need to constantly switch between apps.
e.g. As a web developer, I would not be productive without switching between code, terminal, and chrome.
Right now, I have two shell windows open, textmate, and two browser windows open -- one in jenkins, one in aws. But they're all related to the project I'm actively working on.
And when you have to port design specs to code.It is much easier to just turn your head instead of switching tabs/windows. This would indeed be a much better option.
Yes, it takes me a day to watch an hour's worth of movie, but it's a nice and easy distraction when waiting for stuff to build or doing other low cognitive impact work.