Safety and Health at Work Vol. 14 Issue 3 2023
Physiological and Subjective Measures of Anxiety with Repeated Exposure to Virtual Construction Sites at Different Heights (Original article)
Dublin Core
Title
Safety and Health at Work Vol. 14 Issue 3 2023
Physiological and Subjective Measures of Anxiety with Repeated Exposure to Virtual Construction Sites at Different Heights (Original article)
Physiological and Subjective Measures of Anxiety with Repeated Exposure to Virtual Construction Sites at Different Heights (Original article)
Subject
Ergonomic, Falls, Virtual reality (VR)
Description
Background: Occupational workers at altitudes are more prone to falls, leading to catastrophic outcomes. Acrophobia, height-related anxiety, and affected executive functions lead to postural instabilities, causing falls. This study investigated the effects of repeated virtual height exposure and training on cognitive processing and height-related anxiety.
Methods: Twenty-eight healthy volunteers (age 20.48 1.26 years; mass 69.52 13.78 kg) were recruited and tested in seven virtual environments (VE) [ground (G), 2-story altitude (A1), 2-story edge
(E1), 4-story altitude (A2), 4-story edge (E2), 6-story altitude (A3), and 6-story edge (E3)] over three days. At each VE, participants identified occupational hazards present in the VE and completed an Attitude Towards Heights Questionnaire (ATHQ) and a modified State-Trait Anxiety Inventory Questionnaire (mSTAIQ). The number of hazards identified and the ATHQ and mSTAIQ scores were analyzed using a 7 (VE; G, A1, A2, A3, E1, E2, E3) x 3 (DAY; DAY 1, DAY 2, DAY 3) factorial repeated measures analysis of variance.
Results: The participants identified the lowest number of hazards at A3 and E3 VEs and on DAY 1 compared to other VEs and DAYs. ATHQ scores were lowest at G, A1, and E1 VEs.
Conclusion: Cognitive processing is negatively affected by virtual altitudes, while it improves with short- term training. The features of virtual reality, such as higher involvement, engagement, and reliability, make it a better training tool to be considered in ergonomic settings. The findings of this study will provide insights into cognitive dual-tasking at altitude and its challenges, which will aid in minimizing occupational falls.
Methods: Twenty-eight healthy volunteers (age 20.48 1.26 years; mass 69.52 13.78 kg) were recruited and tested in seven virtual environments (VE) [ground (G), 2-story altitude (A1), 2-story edge
(E1), 4-story altitude (A2), 4-story edge (E2), 6-story altitude (A3), and 6-story edge (E3)] over three days. At each VE, participants identified occupational hazards present in the VE and completed an Attitude Towards Heights Questionnaire (ATHQ) and a modified State-Trait Anxiety Inventory Questionnaire (mSTAIQ). The number of hazards identified and the ATHQ and mSTAIQ scores were analyzed using a 7 (VE; G, A1, A2, A3, E1, E2, E3) x 3 (DAY; DAY 1, DAY 2, DAY 3) factorial repeated measures analysis of variance.
Results: The participants identified the lowest number of hazards at A3 and E3 VEs and on DAY 1 compared to other VEs and DAYs. ATHQ scores were lowest at G, A1, and E1 VEs.
Conclusion: Cognitive processing is negatively affected by virtual altitudes, while it improves with short- term training. The features of virtual reality, such as higher involvement, engagement, and reliability, make it a better training tool to be considered in ergonomic settings. The findings of this study will provide insights into cognitive dual-tasking at altitude and its challenges, which will aid in minimizing occupational falls.
Creator
Sachini N.K. Kodithuwakku Arachchige, Harish Chander, Alana J. Turner, Alireza Shojaei, Adam C. Knight, Aaron Griffith, Reuben F. Burch, Chih-Chia Chen
Source
journal homepage: www.e-shaw.net
Publisher
Elsevier B.V. on behalf of Occupational Safety and Health Research Institute, Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency.
Date
21 August 2023
Contributor
Sri Wahyuni
Format
PDF
Language
English
Type
Text
Coverage
Safety and Health at Work Vol. 14 Issue 3 2023
Files
Citation
Sachini N.K. Kodithuwakku Arachchige, Harish Chander, Alana J. Turner, Alireza Shojaei, Adam C. Knight, Aaron Griffith, Reuben F. Burch, Chih-Chia Chen , “Safety and Health at Work Vol. 14 Issue 3 2023
Physiological and Subjective Measures of Anxiety with Repeated Exposure to Virtual Construction Sites at Different Heights (Original article),” Repository Horizon University Indonesia, accessed November 25, 2024, https://repository.horizon.ac.id/items/show/3460.
Physiological and Subjective Measures of Anxiety with Repeated Exposure to Virtual Construction Sites at Different Heights (Original article),” Repository Horizon University Indonesia, accessed November 25, 2024, https://repository.horizon.ac.id/items/show/3460.