Abstract
Virtual reality (VR) simulation offers significant potential for human factors training as it provides a novel approach which enables training in environments that are otherwise dangerous, impractical or expensive to simulate. While VR training has been adopted in many environments, such as heavy industry, surgery and aviation, there remains an inadequate understanding of how virtual simulations impact cognitive factors. One such factor, which needs careful consideration during the design of VR simulations, is the degree of mental or cognitive load experienced during training. This study aimed to validate a newly developed measure of workload, based on existing instruments (e.g. the NASA-TLX), but tailored to the specific demands placed on users of simulated environments. While participants completed a VR puzzle game, a series of experimental manipulations of workload were used to assess the sensitivity of the new instrument. The manipulations affected the questionnaire subscales (mental demands; physical demands; temporal demands; frustration; task complexity; situational stress; distraction; perceptual strain; task control; presence) as predicted in all cases (ps < .05), except for presence, which displayed little relationship with other aspects of task load. The scale was also found to have good convergent validity with an alternate index of task load. The findings support the sensitivity of the new instrument for assessing task load in virtual reality. Overall, this study contributes to the understanding of mental workload in simulated environments and provides a practical tool for use in both future research and applications in the field.
Highlights
Simulation is well established as an effective method for human factors training, in environments such as surgery and aviation (Stevens and Kincaid 2015; Sutherland et al 2006)
As cognitive load plays an important role in informational learning and skill acquisition (Kirschner 2002; Renkl and Atkinson 2003; van Gog et al 2005), this lack of understanding could limit the training effectiveness of virtual reality (VR)
The aim of this study was to explore the potential of a new multidimensional, simulation-specific, task workload measure (SIM-TLX)
Summary
Simulation is well established as an effective method for human factors training, in environments such as surgery and aviation (Stevens and Kincaid 2015; Sutherland et al 2006). There is limited understanding of how VR environments impact the cognitive processes of the user. It is unclear whether the cognitive demands imposed by a virtual task are equivalent to that of the real world. As cognitive load plays an important role in informational learning and skill acquisition (Kirschner 2002; Renkl and Atkinson 2003; van Gog et al 2005), this lack of understanding could limit the training effectiveness of VR. This study aims to provide a validated method for assessing workload to aid future design and assessment of simulated environments
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
