Reliability of physiological and subjective responses to physical and psychosocial exposures during a simulated manufacturing task

Abstract

Responses to physical and psychosocial exposures can be measured using diverse methods, but their reliability, particularly under multiple exposures, is largely unknown. Five classes of methods were used to assess physiological and subjective responses among 24 participants to four combinations of physical and psychosocial exposures while performing two identical sessions of a simulated overhead manufacturing task. As an exploratory analysis, test–retest reliability was quantified using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) and coefficients of variation (CV). Discomfort ratings were reliable under less favorable exposures, and ratings of the psychosocial environment were most reliable under favorable social support. Workload ratings were most reliable with high physical exposure and favorable social support, and task performance was reliable overall. EMG and heart rate had relatively low reliability. Slightly less than half of the variables were considered reliable, but reliability depended on exposure conditions. Relevance to industry: The study provides information on the reliability of commonly used exposure measurement methods. The results can guide the selection of physiological and psychological work outcome measurements in future studies and work evaluations.