Development and Validation of a Human Factors and Ergonomics Evaluation Scale for Virtual Reality Environment

Abstract

The diffusion of virtual reality (VR) technology has highlighted several user experiences challenges, including cybersickness (CS), mental workload (MWL), eye fatigue (EF), and physical fatigue (PHF). To address these issues, a comprehensive human factors and ergonomics (HFE) tool is necessary. This study developed a specialized HFE questionnaire to assess primary issues in VR environments. Ninety-three participants used VR headsets to test the questionnaire, which was validated through expert opinions and statistical analysis. The questionnaire consists of 19 questions categorized into four groups: MWL (4 items), PHF (5 items), CS (5 items), and EF (5 items). The questionnaire showed high reliability and validity, with a Cronbach's alpha coefficient of 0.91, a mean content validity index of 0.83, and a content validity ratio of 0.81. Structural validity was also confirmed with acceptable Chi-square and root mean square error of approximation scores. The results support the validity and reliability of the questionnaire, making it a useful tool for assessing and improving VR user experiences.