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Article

Effects of Using Immersive Media on the Effectiveness of Training to Prevent Ergonomics Risks

1
Instituto de Investigación e Innovación en Bioingeniería (I3B), Universitat Politècnica de València, 46022 València, Spain
2
Institute of Innovation and Knowledge Management (INGENIO) (CSIC-UPV), Universitat Politècnica de València, 46022 València, Spain
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2020, 17(7), 2592; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph17072592
Submission received: 11 March 2020 / Revised: 7 April 2020 / Accepted: 9 April 2020 / Published: 10 April 2020
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Promotion of Healthy Work)

Abstract

:
In this work, the effects of using immersive media such as virtual reality on the performance of training programs to avoid ergonomics risks are analyzed. The advance of technology has made it possible to use low-cost portable devices able to generate highly immersive experiences in training programs. The effects of using this kind of device in training programs have been studied in several fields such as industrial security, medicine and surgery, rehabilitation, or construction. However, there is very little research on the effects of using immersive media in training workers to avoid ergonomics risk factors. In this study, we compare the effects of using traditional and immersive media in a training program to avoid three common ergonomics risk factors in industrial environments. Our results showed that using immersive media increases the participant’s engagement during the training. In the same way, the learning contents are perceived as more interesting and useful and are better remembered over time, leading to an increased perception of the ergonomics risks among workers. However, we found that little training was finally transferred to the workplace three months after the training session.

1. Introduction

Work related injuries, illnesses, and deaths are critical public health problems that result in important social and economic costs. In the European Union, the cost related to these problems is 3.3% of its gross domestic product (GPD), roughly reaching up to 3.9% of the worldwide GDP [1]. Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are the most frequent problems and the leading cause of work disability, sickness, and absence from work [2,3]. For example, the prevalence of work related MSDs in Great Britain in 2017/18 was 469,000 out of a total of 1,358,000 for all work-related illnesses (35% of the total) [4]. It is difficult to measure the real economic burden related to MSDs [2,5]. Apart from direct costs, such as medical expenses or compensation, and indirect costs related to absenteeism or productivity decline, intangible costs due to the social consequences of MSDs must be considered [6]. Sixty-seven percent of those affected state that their quality of life has been significantly reduced [7] due to chronic pain, chronic fatigue, and economic reasons such as decreased incomes. Forty-nine percent of them declare that they are unable to perform their work normally, and 30% of them are worried about discrimination or losing their job [8].
Governments and public organizations encourage enterprises to adopt strategies to diminish the prevalence of MSDs. Physical, organizational, and cognitive ergonomics interventions are focused on reducing the risk factors for MSDs [9] through physical workplace redesigns, variations of task times and contents, implementing training programs, improving cognitive processes to reduce mental workload, and involving workers in developing and implementing changes [10]. Out of these interventions, currently, public occupational safety and health agencies and institutions are especially interested in promoting participatory ergonomic training programs. Ergonomic training programs are intended to transfer knowledge-relating ergonomics issues about work to the employees, but also to involve them in participating in the recognition and resolution of the problems [11].
There is very little research about the effectiveness of ergonomics training. In an effective ergonomics training program, the acquired knowledge must lead to a positive change in the trained workers’ behavior. The training is transferred to the workplace, achieving the goal of the training program, for example, a reduction of MSDs. However, there is some controversy about this. Some previous studies [12,13,14,15,16] support the effectiveness of occupational health and safety training. Educational interventions increase the safety knowledge of the workers, have a positive effect on attitude and beliefs toward prevention behaviors, and reduce negative safety and health outcomes like musculoskeletal pains and symptoms. On the other hand, some works and systematic reviews found that ergonomics training does not always lead to the expected workers’ behavioral change [17,18,19,20,21]. However, there is consensus that training methods and learning materials are important factors that affect the effectiveness of ergonomic training programs [14,22]. Findings from previous works revealed that as the method of training becomes more engaging, the effect of training is greater [12,13] and that the duration of outcome may be influenced by the style of training delivery. The perceived quality and usefulness of the training methods are positively correlated with learning transfer [23]. Furthermore, learning materials that are too theoretical prevent the transfer of training [24] and their effectiveness to change workers’ behavior is low [17,18]. Although moving from passive information-based methods (lectures, pamphlets, classroom theory lessons…) to more engaging methods results in greater knowledge acquisition and more transfer of training to the work setting, the most common training method in occupational health and safety is classroom theory lessons [14]. Currently, governments and public organizations promote the development of more engaging training methods and materials. Some examples are the series of occupational safety and health education toolkits (NAPO) devised by the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work, or projects like Train4work of the Federation of European Ergonomics Societies to identify training requirements and define learning objectives of the learning material in a participatory way.
The development of information and communication technologies now makes new learning methods possible in training programs. Until recently, the use of these techniques implied the need to wear complex and expensive devices. However, the advance of technology has made it possible to use very low-cost portable devices able to generate highly immersive experiences. Some virtual reality (VR) headsets are currently available in the market for prices from 250 euros and are becoming common consumer products. Furthermore, smartphones can be used now as VR systems, using devices that transform any smartphone into a VR device for prices below 5 euros. On the other hand, developing content to be used in these devices is now cheap and affordable. Content generation systems have also evolved enormously in recent times and, nowadays, it is possible to develop immersive virtual environments (3D environments, 360° video, etc.) using free development frameworks.
Currently, due to these new low-cost VR devices and content development frameworks, learning methods that use technological tools and immersive media, such as VR or augmented reality, are extensively employed in training programs. The effects of using immersive media and contents on the performance of training programs have been studied in several fields such as industry [25,26,27], medicine and surgery [28,29,30], rehabilitation [31,32], or construction [33,34,35,36]. However, there is very little research on the effects of using immersive media in training workers to avoid ergonomics risk factors. In this work, we used traditional (video presentations) and immersive media (virtual reality headsets) in a training program to avoid three common ergonomics risk factors in industrial environments: repetitive movements, improper postures, and handling loads. The differences in using both ways of delivering the learning contents in the workers’ knowledge, behavior, and attitudes were analyzed. The results of this study may assist trainers in developing more effective training programs to avoid ergonomics risk factors.

2. Materials and Methods

2.1. Participants and Settings

An automobile components supplier firm participated in this study through its Occupational Health and Safety Department (OHSD). The assembly plant of the enterprise develops its activity in two 8-h non-rotating shifts (hereafter called Sh1 and Sh2). There is no night shift and employees usually work in the same shift unless, unusually, there are special production requirements. Meeting the legislative framework, the workers of the assembly lines periodically receive training in health and safety matters. However, the training related to ergonomics was very basic and limited to less than one classroom hour.
The four assembly lines of the plant were analyzed and 36 workstations were selected. Several selected workstations were intended to perform the same production process and the tasks developed by the workers occupying them were the same. Thirty-three workstations were operated by one worker and three workstations needed two workers to run them. The 76 workers involved in the 36 workstations (38 workers from each shift) were contacted and invited to participate in the ergonomics training. Only the workstations whose workers from both shifts (Sh1 and Sh2) agreed to participate in the training were considered and, finally, 70 workers took part in the training. Each worker was randomly assigned to one out of two experimental groups (GrV and Gr3D) in such a way that the workers of the same workstation (in different shifts) were assigned to different groups. In this way, both experimental groups were composed of workers developing the same tasks in different shifts.
The OHSD staff of the enterprise were asked to classify each of the selected workstations in terms of several ergonomics risk factors (manual material handling, vibrations, repetitive movements, noise, and improper postures). The OHSD staff assigned a risk level (0—No risk, 1—Low risk, 2—Medium risk, and 3—High risk) to the tasks developed in each workstation for each ergonomics risk factor. The results of the classification showed that three risk factors were significant in the tasks developed by the workers participating in the study: manual material handling, repetitive movements, and improper postures (Figure 1).

2.2. Training Media and Contents

The most common ergonomics risk factors in European industrial environments are repetitive movements, improper postures, handling heavy loads, noise, and vibrations [37]. The last two factors were not significant among the workstations considered in this work (Figure 1). Therefore, we focused the contents of the training on the first three risk factors. Two different media were chosen to develop and deliver the training. The first one was a plain video presentation shown on a projection screen (Figure 2a), and the second was a 3D interactive environment running on a VR headset (Samsung Gear VR) (Figure 2b).
Unity, a cross-platform to create games and interactive experiences in 3D, was used to develop the training contents. Virtual industrial environments and a character used as an avatar representing the worker were created. The animated character was used to show the training contents for each risk factor (repetitive movements, improper postures, and handling heavy loads), developing different tasks in different work environments. For each risk factor, the character exposes ways to detect and identify the risk, their effects, and consequences on the workers’ health and personal life and good practices to avoid the risk.

2.3. Training Design and Evaluation

Seventy workers took part in the training. Two experimental groups (GrV and Gr3D) composed of 35 workers were created randomly, assigning each worker to one of the groups. The content of the training was presented to the group GrV using a plain video presentation shown on a projection screen. The workers of the group Gr3D used a VR headset (Samsung Gear VR). VR system users are prone to motion sickness when using a VR system. Motion sickness is a term used to describe the symptomatology of maladaptation syndrome, caused by various synthetic experiences, like using a VR system [38]. Therefore, three weeks before the training sessions, the workers of the group Gr3D were informed about the use of the VR headsets in the training and were asked if they had felt motion sickness if they used a VR system before. No worker declared ever having suffered motion sickness associated to using a VR system.
Kirkpatrick’s framework for training evaluation [39,40] was selected to measure the training effectiveness. Although there are more recent models to assess training programs [41,42,43], Kirkpatrick’s model is the most commonly used [44], acting as the fundamental scheme for educational evaluation [45,46]. Kirkpatrick’s framework proposes a model consisting of four stages. The first one (Reaction) measures the opinion of the participants about the training using questionnaires. The second (Learning) uses performance tests to measure the changes in the participants’ knowledge or skills. The third stage (Behavior) identifies if the new knowledge is being transferred to job behavior. Finally, the last step (Results) measures the organizational results and the cost and return on investment of the training. Three questionnaires and one knowledge test were designed in this work following Kirkpatrick’s model. The trainees answered the questionnaires, which will be described in the following paragraphs, using three different 7-point Likert-type scales: an agreement scale ranging from “strongly disagree” to “strongly agree”, a frequency scale ranging from “never” to “very frequently”, and an importance scale ranging from “not important at all” to “very important”. The scale used to answer each question is shown in the last column of Table 1, Table 2 and Table 3.
Each experimental group received the training in different sessions. All the workers of the GrV group received the training in one common session that lasted 2 h. Only 10 VR headsets were available, therefore the workers of the Gr3D experimental group were divided into three equal training sessions, each lasting 2 h. The sessions were conducted by members of the OHSD staff of the company. Initially, the trainers presented the objectives of the sessions and the participants filled out the PQ questionnaire (Table 1). This questionnaire consisted of 11 questions divided into 5 groups, hereafter named dimensions (Concern, Control, Loads, Repetitiveness, and Postures). The Concern dimension (questions PQ1 to PQ3) was intended to measure the level of the workers’ concern about ergonomics risks in their tasks, while the Control dimension (questions PQ4 and PQ5) assesses if the workers perceive that ergonomics risks in their workplaces are under control, because they can act on them or because managers of health and safety are dealing with them. The dimensions Loads, Repetitiveness, and Postures (questions PQ6 to PQ7, PQ8 to PQ9, and PQ10 to PQ11) are similar to the Concern dimension but measure the workers’ concern about each specific ergonomics risk selected for this study.
Then, participants of the GrV group watched the contents of the training in a video presentation shown on a projection screen. The workers of the Gr3D group watched the immersive and interactive version of the content. Previously, they were instructed on using the VR headset and the way to interact with the contents. After watching the contents, the participants and the trainers discussed ergonomics risks in their workplaces. Next, the workers filled out the RQ questionnaire (Table 2) related to the Reaction stage of Kirkpatrick’s model. This questionnaire consisted of 6 questions intended to measure the reaction of the participants about the received training. The first one, RQ1 (Had you ever used a VR headset before this training?) was only presented to the Gr3D group members and it was intended to measure the degree of novelty of this kind of device for the participants. A Likert-type scale was not used to answer this question. Three options were given: “No. I had never used a VR headset”, “Yes. I had used a VR headset only once” and “Yes. I had used a VR headset more than once”. The reaction of the participants was assessed in three dimensions: Expectation (RQ2), Interest (RQ3 and RQ4), and Usefulness (RQ5 and RQ6). The participants’ expectations about the training has a significant impact on post-training attitudes and motivation to transfer learning [47]. On the other hand, Interest dimension measures the level of engagement of the participants during the training sessions, which affects the effectiveness of ergonomics training programs [12,13,14,22]. Finally, the perceived usefulness of the training methods are positively correlated with learning transfer [23].
The learning level of Kirkpatrick’s framework for training evaluation [39] offers data on the extent to which the knowledge or skills of the participants have changed through a knowledge test. In this work, a multiple-choice test (LT) consisting of 30 questions (10 about each ergonomics risk factor) with three alternatives was used. The participants answered the LT test twice. One of them was filled out immediately after the presentation of the learning contents and the second one was answered three months later. The first time, the participants of the Gr3D experimental group, who received the training using the VR headset, filled out the test in the same application used to view the learning contents in 3D (Figure 3). The members of the GrV group filled out a web form. In the second round, all the groups used the web-based version of the test.
Three months after the training, the participants filled out the SA questionnaire (Table 3). This was a self-assessment questionnaire intended to appraise the workers’ self-perceived behavioral changes after the training and the learning transferred to the work place. Kirkpatrick [39] recommends a minimum term of three months after the training for the behavioral appraisal, and Axtell et al. [48] showed that the amount of learning transferred one month or later after the training is a good predictor of the learning transferred after one year. The questions of the SA questionnaire were grouped in 5 dimensions: Memory, Concern, Control, Transference, and Usefulness. The Memory dimension (questions SA1 and SA2) measured if the trainees had remembered the learning contents after the training. The Concern (questions SA3 to SA5) and the Control (questions SA6 and SA7) dimensions were the same used in the PQ questionnaire. To differentiate the answers given before and after the training, in Table 1, the Concern and Control dimensions are named Concern PreT (pre-training) and Control PreT, respectively. In the same way, the Usefulness dimension (questions SA11 and SA12) was the same used in the RQ questionnaire. To differentiate the answers given just after the training and three months after the training, in Table 2, the Usefulness dimension is named Usefulness PosT (post-training), and in Table 3, it is named Usefulness 3M. Figure 4 shows the sequence in which the questionnaires were filled out.

3. Results

Initially, 70 workers took part in the training and answered the PQ and RQ questionnaires and the LT knowledge test. One of the participants of the GrV group (GrV26 in Table A3) did not complete the LT test and the SA questionnaire in the second round because he no longer worked in the company. Figure 5 shows the average response to each question by experimental group. To elaborate this figure, a score was given to each answer of the scales ranging from −3 for the lowest level of the scales (strongly disagree, never, and not important at all) to +3 for the highest level (strongly agree, very frequently, and very important).
A different score system was used to statistically analyze the data. For the lowest level of the scales, 1 was used, and for the highest level of the scales, 7 was used. The complete set of responses to the questionnaires PQ and RQ are shown in Table A1 and Table A2 in the Appendix A using this score system. The results for the questionnaire SA and for the LT knowledge tests are given in Table A2 and Table A3. In these tables, the LT1 column shows the number of correct answers given to the LT test in the first round, and the LT2 column shows the difference between the number of correct answers given to the LT test in the first round and in the second round three months after the training.
Table 4 shows the mean and the standard deviation of the responses to each question by experimental group, and the results of the t-tests conducted to check whether there are statistically significant differences between the two groups (at significance level of 0.05). The scores for each dimension (Concern, Control, Loads, Repetitiveness, Postures, Expectation, Interest, Usefulness, Memory, and Transference) were calculated, summing up the scores of the correspondents’ questions for each participant. Questions PQ5 and RQ3 were negatively worded with respect to the rest of the questions of their dimensions, therefore, the scores of these questions were reversed. Cronbach’s alpha (α) was used to calculate the internal reliability of the dimensions. The Cronbach’s alpha is commonly used to test for internal consistency and reliability of a questionnaire consisting of multiple Likert scales and items [49]. Although there is no clear consensus on the value of α that indicates an acceptable reliability, a value over 0.7 is usually considered to indicate a moderate consistency [50]. The Cronbach’s alphas in this study (Table 4) showed that all the dimensions had a moderate internal reliability.
The results of the PQ questionnaire (Table 4) showed that there were not significant differences between the workers of the two experimental groups before the training. No significant differences were found (t (68) = −0.37, p = 0.714) in the level of the workers’ concern about ergonomics risks in their tasks (Concern dimension) between the workers selected to receive the training using a video projection (GrV: M = 10.03) and the workers selected to receive the training using a VR headset (Gr3D: M = 9.71). Differences between the groups were not found in any of the questions of this dimension either. The scores of the questions PQ1 (GrV: M = 3.97, Gr3D: M = 3.74), PQ2 (GrV: M = 3.03, Gr3D: M = 3.09), and PQ3 (GrV: M = 3.03, Gr3D: M = 2.89) show, in general terms, a low workers’ level of concern about ergonomics risks and the consequences on their long-term health. In the same way, no differences were found between experimental groups in the Control dimension (t (68) = −0.40, p = 0.687) before the training. The answers to the questions PQ4 (GrV: M = 3.66, Gr3D: M = 3.51) and PQ5 (GrV: M = 3.83, Gr3D: M = 3.74) showed that workers believed that ergonomics risks were controlled to the same extent by the managers of health and safety of the plant and by themselves. Improperly handling loads (GrV: M = 4.48, Gr3D: M = 4.17) and adopting awkward postures (GrV: M = 4.29, Gr3D: M = 4.17) were considered more important risk factors than performing excessive repetitive movements (GrV: M = 3.77, Gr3D: M = 3.71), with no differences between the experimental groups. Nonetheless, the answers to the questions PQ7 (GrV: M = 3.77, Gr3D: M = 3.37), PQ9 (GrV: M = 3.20, Gr3D: M = 3.03), and PQ11 (GrV: M = 3.71, Gr3D: M = 3.19) showed that they did not feel that they needed training to avoid any of the risk factors.
Conversely, the answers to the RQ questionnaire, filled out just after the training, showed significant differences between the two experimental groups. From the results of the RQ2 question, the participants of the Gr3D group were significantly (t (68) = 5.03, p < 0.001) more keen on receiving the training than those of the GrV group (GrV: M = 2.03, Gr3D: M = 3.48). In the same way, significant differences (t (68) = 7.53, p < 0.001) between the experimental groups were found in the level of engagement of the participants during the training sessions (Interest dimension). The participants of the GrV group felt more tired or bored during the training (question RQ3) than those of the Gr3D group (GrV: M = 4.03, Gr3D: M = 5.71). Similarly, judging from the RQ4 question’s answers, the participants who used the VR headset found the learning materials more interesting (GrV: M = 2.66, Gr3D: M = 3.88). Finally, the perceived usefulness of the training (Usefulness PosT dimension) showed significant differences (t (68) = 5.40, p < 0.001) between the groups. The questions RQ5 and RQ6 indicate that the workers who used the VR headset found the training more useful (GrV: M = 3.11, Gr3D: M = 3.91) and better than previous similar trainings (GrV: M = 3.85, Gr3D: M = 4.80). The scores of the LT knowledge test (LT1 column in the Table A3 and Table A4) were a bit higher for the participants of the GrV experimental group (GrV: M = 23.37, Gr3D: M = 22.06), but this difference was not significant (t (68) = 1.68, p < 0.397).
Significant differences were found between the groups (t (67) = 2.24, p = 0.029) in the Memory dimension of the SA questionnaire, filled out three months after the training. The Memory dimension measured if the trainees remembered the learning contents after the training, when they were undertaking their tasks (SA1 question), and if they analyzed these tasks considering the learning of the training (SA2 question). The results showed that the workers who received the training using the VR headset remembered the training more than those in the GrV group (GrV: M = 5.26, Gr3D: M = 6.54).
The Concern dimension was assessed again in the SA questionnaire (Concern 3M in Table 4). Three months after the training, significant differences (t (67) = 2.04, p = 0.045) were found between groups in this dimension. The workers of the Gr3D group showed a higher level of concern about ergonomics risks and the consequences on their long-term health (GrV: M = 9.91, Gr3D: M = 11.69). An analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was performed on the Concern 3M scores, using the scores of Concern PT as the covariate, to check if the media used to deliver the training significantly affected the concern of the workers about ergonomics risks. The ANCOVA indicated that the training method produced significant differences in the Concern dimension (Table 5) at the 0.05 level of probability.
Conversely, no significant differences between the groups were found in the Control dimension three month after the training (t (67) = 0.83, p = 0.411) and neither were they found in the scores of the questions in this dimension (SA6 and SA7). An ANCOVA performed on the Control 3M scores, with the scores of Control PT as the covariate, found that the media used to deliver the training did not affect the workers perception of the ergonomics risks in their workplaces (F (1, 66) = 2.25, p = 0.138).
The results of the Transference dimension showed that little training was transferred to the work place, and no significant differences were found between the experimental groups (t (67) = 1.76, p = 0.083). The workers of the Gr3D group were able to identify risky activities among their tasks after the training to a greater extent than the participants in the GrV group (GrV: M = 1.38, Gr3D: M = 1.71). However, from the scores of questions SA9 and SA10, there were no differences between the groups in how the participants tried to improve the way in which they undertook their tasks to avoid ergonomics risks.
As occurred immediately after the training, three months later the perceived usefulness of the training (Usefulness 3M) showed significant differences (t (67) = 2.36, p = 0.021) between the experimental groups. However, the differences were, in this case, limited to only one out of the two questions in this dimension. Although the participants in the Gr3D group found the training significantly better than similar ones received previously (t (67) = 3.81, p < 0.001), no differences between the groups were found in the perceived usefulness of the training (t (67) = 0.60, p = 0.549).
As aforementioned, there were no significant differences between the groups in the scores of the LT knowledge test filled out just after the training. Therefore, it seems that the media used to deliver the training did not affect the level of knowledge or skills acquired by the participants. However, the results of the same test filled out three months after the training showed significant differences between the groups (t (67) = 3.11, p = 0.003). The LT2 column in Table A3 and Table A4 showed the difference between the number of correct answers given to the LT test in the first round and in the second round. Although the results were similar for the participants of the two groups in the first round, the scores in the second round (GrV: M = 18.47, Gr3D: M = 21.14) were better for the participants who used the VR headset during the training (Figure 6). An ANCOVA was performed on the LT1 scores with the scores of LT2 as the covariate. The results (F (1, 66) = 9.79, p = 0.003) showed that the media used to deliver the training significantly affects how the knowledge acquired was retained over time.

4. Discussion

In this work, we studied the effects of using immersive media to deliver the learning contents in ergonomics training on the workers’ knowledge, behavior, and attitudes about ergonomics risk factors. The differences in using a traditional video projector and a VR headset were analyzed. The data were collected immediately after the training and three months later.
To achieve the training transfer to the workplace, the worker must be aware of the consequences of ergonomics risks on their health and quality of life. An adequate perception of the ergonomics risks is needed. The perceived risk is the subjective judgment that the worker makes about the frequency of a particular risk and the severity of the consequences [51]. In general terms, the level of concern about ergonomics risks and the consequences on the long-term health of the workers who participated in the study was low. They did not feel that they needed training to avoid any of the risk factors selected for this study despite there being risks present in their tasks (more than 30% of the workstations had a medium or high level of each kind of risk). The results of this study found that the media used to deliver the training significantly affects the change in the workers’ level of concern about ergonomics risks. The workers of the experimental group that used a VR headset showed a higher level of concern about ergonomics risks and their consequences on their long-term health three months after the training. A low level of concern about ergonomics risks is a common situation because, overall, work-related musculoskeletal disorders are cumulative traumas. The injuries are caused by the accumulation of small traumas over a long period of time. Therefore, it is difficult for the worker to establish a direct cause–effect relationship between the ergonomics risk factors and their consequences for their health. Using immersive media in ergonomics training may lead to an increased ergonomics risks perception.
Although the workers of both experimental groups did not feel they needed the training, we found significant differences in the participants’ expectations about the training due to the different media used to deliver the learning contents (the only difference between the two experimental groups). The workers assigned to the training group that used the VR headset were significantly keener on receiving the training than those of the GrV group. This could have a significant influence on post-training attitudes and motivation to transfer learning [47]. In the same way, significant differences in the level of engagement of the participants during the training sessions were found. During the training, the participants who used the VR headset found the learning materials more interesting, while the participants of the GrV group felt more tired or bored. The degree of novelty of the technology used in the training can affect the engagement of the trainees [52], and the level of engagement of the participants during the training sessions affects the effectiveness of training programs [12,13,14,22]. Therefore, part of the effectiveness of the training can be attributed to the novelty of the device [53]. Our intention was to measure if the different degrees of novelty of the VR headset among the workers of the Gr3D experimental group affected the effectiveness of the training. However, the answers to the question RQ1 of the RQ questionnaire (Table 4) show that 88.57% of the workers of the Gr3D experimental group had never used a VR headset before the training, only 3 workers had used it once, and only 1 more than once. Therefore, there were not enough participants with experience in the use of VR headsets to perform a significant statistical analysis on the influence of novelty on training effectiveness.
Just after the training, the workers who used the VR headset found the training more useful and better than previous similar training. The perceived quality and usefulness of the training methods are positively correlated with learning transfer [23]. Although three months later the differences were limited to training quality and no differences between the groups were found in the perceived usefulness of the training, overall, the scores of the Usefulness dimension were significantly higher in the Gr3D experimental group. On the other hand, although the media used in the training does not seem to have an effect on the level of knowledge or skills acquired by the participants, the learning was better retained over time by the workers who used the VR headset. This result is consistent with the findings of previous works that revealed that the duration of the outcome of the training may be influenced by the style of training delivery, lasting longer as the method of training becomes more engaging [12,13].
Despite the results in the other analyzed dimensions, the Transference dimension shows no significant differences between the experimental groups. Although the workers who used the VR headset were better able to identify risky activities among their tasks, they did not try to improve the way in which they undertook their tasks to avoid the perceived ergonomics risks. Therefore, from the responses of the participants of both groups, little training was transferred to the work place.
The low level of concern of the workers about ergonomics risks and their consequences may be a key aspect in the low level of transference found. The realization of the severity of the risks is essential so that the workers be motivated to learn about the risks and to transfer the knowledge to the work setting [54] Using immersive media in the training program has been found to increase the workers’ risk perception to a greater extent than traditional procedures. However, the overall level of concern of the workers about ergonomics risks remains low after the training.
Finally, a limitation of this work must be pointed out. The participants in the study were assigned to each experimental group in a quasi-randomized way. Each participant was randomly assigned to one out of two experimental groups (GrV and Gr3D) in such a way that the workers of the same workstation (in different shifts) were assigned to different groups. In this way, both experimental groups were composed of workers developing the same tasks in different shifts. However, potential differences between the experimental groups can be of importance for the results obtained in this work.

5. Conclusions

Our results showed that using an immersive media in ergonomics training increases the workers’ expectations about the training session and the participant’s engagement. In the same way, learning contents are perceived as more interesting and useful and are better remembered over time. Using immersive media may lead to an increased workers’ ergonomics risks perception, however, we found that little training is finally transferred to the workplace three months after the training session. From a practical perspective, using low-cost immersive media in ergonomics training produces significant benefits. However, this training modality does not increase the workers’ risk perception enough to significantly improve the knowledge transferred to the work setting. Therefore, other measures must be taken so that the workers establish a direct cause–effect relationship between ergonomics risk factors and their severe consequences for their health.

Author Contributions

Conceptualization, J.A.D.-M.; data curation, J.A.-M. and R.P.-B.; formal analysis, J.A.D.-M. and R.P.-B.; funding acquisition, J.A.D.-M.; investigation, J.A.D.-M., J.A.-M. and R.P.-B.; methodology, J.A.D.-M.; project administration, J.A.D.-M.; writing—original draft, J.A.D.-M. and R.P.-B.; writing—review and editing, J.A.-M. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

Funding

This research was funded by Spanish Ministry of Economy, Industry and Competitiveness, grant number DPI2016-79042-R.

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Appendix A

Table A1. Responses to the PQ and RQ questionnaires given by the GrV experimental group.
Table A1. Responses to the PQ and RQ questionnaires given by the GrV experimental group.
QuestionnairePQRQ
QuestionPQ1PQ2PQ3PQ4PQ5PQ6PQ7PQ8PQ9PQ10PQ11RQ1RQ2RQ3RQ4RQ5RQ6
Participant
GrV143445445334-23533
GrV254344434233-43533
GrV343435442344-34443
GrV432143433243-24413
GrV543235543455-25322
GrV632333444444-24422
GrV721115322132-35344
GrV854443456445-23533
GrV921224241313-23533
GrV1054554655465-24433
GrV1143245445444-36244
GrV1254362646364-43554
GrV1332336543454-14423
GrV1454453655555-25333
GrV1554245433333-13522
GrV1643335564556-24423
GrV1743445543353-25313
GrV1865564655565-25322
GrV1911115313131-34433
GrV2032214323232-23533
GrV2165663535253-36223
GrV2243436543354-24444
GrV2354353656565-25344
GrV2443335544454-34434
GrV2543446443344-13513
GrV2632235424232-13534
GrV2776773655565-24423
GrV2832234544454-14413
GrV2943445443344-14433
GrV3044243535253-23533
GrV3132142433242-14423
GrV3265463655555-14422
GrV3321225332233-33534
GrV3432214331233-15323
GrV3543234544354-13534
Table A2. Responses to the PQ and RQ questionnaires given by the Gr3D experimental group.
Table A2. Responses to the PQ and RQ questionnaires given by the Gr3D experimental group.
QuestionnairePQRQ
QuestionPQ1PQ2PQ3PQ4PQ5PQ6PQ7PQ8PQ9PQ10PQ11RQ1RQ2RQ3RQ4RQ5RQ6
Participant
Gr3D133327333333243544
Gr3D243553433343143543
Gr3D354644645464134434
Gr3D443345444444213532
Gr3D532335433342122634
Gr3D654453545454152665
Gr3D722126312131122622
Gr3D844343432343141745
Gr3D943245443444132643
Gr3D1032236324232141755
Gr3D1165672555555122634
Gr3D1243463534353133534
Gr3D1354352645364132644
Gr3D1432234433343132633
Gr3D1533235424242343545
Gr3D1632236434243152655
Gr3D1765442666566171765
Gr3D1844135434243144444
Gr3D1933426424142141755
Gr3D2011116312131162655
Gr3D2154443665566113522
Gr3D2232133323232153554
Gr3D2332146221222141744
Gr3D2443344544354162665
Gr3D2521115232323233544
Gr3D2654452655464133532
Gr3D2744243555455151756
Gr3D2854454554555114422
Gr3D2955445545454114423
Gr3D3055333544354122633
Gr3D3132235443344133534
Gr3D3244445546454141755
Gr3D3321314222122132644
Gr3D3432224323232152654
Gr3D3533235333332131734
Table A3. Responses to the SA questionnaire and scores of the LT knowledge test of the GrV experimental group.
Table A3. Responses to the SA questionnaire and scores of the LT knowledge test of the GrV experimental group.
QuestionnaireLTSA
QuestionLT1LT2SA1SA2SA3SA4SA5SA6SA7SA8SA9SA10SA11SA12
Participant
GrV124−1322322211254
GrV227−1434533532343
GrV318−6223525311133
GrV422−4323333411134
GrV520−6213443711123
GrV629−6333313411233
GrV723−4532242212144
GrV823−4124556512224
GrV915−2321213411234
GrV1024−7434524612242
GrV1124−3443533522245
GrV1222−2645535513144
GrV1328−2322312211154
GrV1422−6324545312233
GrV1526−4114654612123
GrV1618−5323444511144
GrV1717−3433433412244
GrV18260225635623435
GrV1926−2531211121253
GrV2020−3112323411125
GrV2119−1335644612243
GrV2230−7324423511155
GrV2323−2434544612243
GrV2416−3553423332454
GrV2522−6323434611144
GrV2626-------------
GrV2725−4236646623334
GrV2823−1212233321335
GrV2920−4413333422254
GrV3017−4213322421245
GrV31200213313421323
GrV32201216656612134
GrV3320−4611113221355
GrV3419−6112243111234
GrV3518−6423324311154
The LT1 column shows the number of correct answers given to the LT test in the first round. The LT2 column shows the difference between the number of correct answers given to the LT test in the first round and in the second round three months after the training.
Table A4. Responses to the SA questionnaire and scores of the LT knowledge test of the Gr3D experimental group.
Table A4. Responses to the SA questionnaire and scores of the LT knowledge test of the Gr3D experimental group.
QuestionnaireLTSA
QuestionLT1LT2SA1SA2SA3SA4SA5SA6SA7SA8SA9SA10SA11SA12
Participant
Gr3D119−1333414321156
Gr3D224−2333534512135
Gr3D325−3325544522244
Gr3D422−2214553332424
Gr3D528−2213534411223
Gr3D621−3644565523245
Gr3D721−1212222421325
Gr3D829−1333445312135
Gr3D925−2424534422234
Gr3D1024−1432333411246
Gr3D1123−1217666712224
Gr3D1222−2444545622154
Gr3D1325−2336563412245
Gr3D1420−3323424411124
Gr3D1520−1434443422135
Gr3D1626−2543424332346
Gr3D1720−2767765534477
Gr3D1824−2533453422155
Gr3D19220433433411245
Gr3D2023−3752213232476
Gr3D2118−2216655422323
Gr3D2222−2544423312246
Gr3D2327−2432315421254
Gr3D2420−2654534433466
Gr3D2524−3422332311233
Gr3D2622−3325554512146
Gr3D2724−2644534322366
Gr3D2823−3325545522324
Gr3D2925−3225555622225
Gr3D3027−3316556612242
Gr3D3126−4323334421244
Gr3D3227−3435545412166
Gr3D3322−3323234411144
Gr3D3425−4443334422235
Gr3D3523−3433323311244
The LT1 column shows the number of correct answers given to the LT test in the first round. The LT2 column shows the difference between the number of correct answers given to the LT test in the first round and in the second round three months after the training.

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Figure 1. Percentage of workstations in each risk level for each ergonomics risk.
Figure 1. Percentage of workstations in each risk level for each ergonomics risk.
Ijerph 17 02592 g001
Figure 2. Media used to deliver the training: (a) Plain video presentation shown on a projection screen; (b) 3D interactive environment running on a virtual reality headset.
Figure 2. Media used to deliver the training: (a) Plain video presentation shown on a projection screen; (b) 3D interactive environment running on a virtual reality headset.
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Figure 3. 3D interactive multiple-choice test (LT) running on a VR headset.
Figure 3. 3D interactive multiple-choice test (LT) running on a VR headset.
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Figure 4. Sequence of the surveys.
Figure 4. Sequence of the surveys.
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Figure 5. Average response to each question by experimental group.
Figure 5. Average response to each question by experimental group.
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Figure 6. Number of correct answers (and standard error) given to the LT test just after the training and three months after the training.
Figure 6. Number of correct answers (and standard error) given to the LT test just after the training and three months after the training.
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Table 1. Questions of the PQ questionnaire.
Table 1. Questions of the PQ questionnaire.
DimensionQuestion CodeQuestionScale
Concern PreTPQ1Your tasks could have consequences for your long-term health because of ergonomics risks.Agreement
PQ2How often did you feel worried about the consequences of some ergonomics bad practices on your long-term health?Frequency
PQ3The importance of the harm that ergonomics risks can cause you is...Importance
Control PreTPQ4If some aspects of your task must be changed to avoid ergonomics risk they are out of your control.Agreement
PQ5Managers of health and safety in your company know and control the risks associated with ergonomics.Agreement
LoadsPQ6The importance of the consequences of handling loads improperly for your health is…Importance
PQ7You need training on handling loads correctly.Agreement
RepetitivenessPQ8The importance of the consequences of performing excessive repetitive movements for your health is…Importance
PQ9You need training on avoiding the effects of repetitive movements.Agreement
PosturesPQ10The importance of the consequences of adopting bad postures during your working hours for your health is…Importance
PQ11You need training on maintaining good posture in your task.Agreement
Table 2. Questions of the RQ questionnaire.
Table 2. Questions of the RQ questionnaire.
DimensionQuestion CodeQuestionScale
-RQ1Had you ever used a VR headset before this training?
ExpectationRQ2You were keen on receiving the training.Agreement
InterestRQ3You felt tired or bored during training.Agreement
RQ4The learning materials are interesting.Agreement
Usefulness PosTRQ5This training is useful for your work activity.Agreement
RQ6This training is better than previous ones on the same issue you have received.Agreement
Table 3. Questions of the SA questionnaire.
Table 3. Questions of the SA questionnaire.
DimensionQuestion CodeQuestionScale
MemorySA1You have remembered the ergonomics training received three months ago when undertaking your tasks.Frequency
SA2You have analyzed your task considering the learning of the training.Agreement
Concern 3MSA3Your tasks could have consequences for your long-term health because of ergonomics risks.Agreement
SA4How often did you feel worried about the consequences of some ergonomics bad practices on your long-term health?Frequency
SA5The importance of the harm that ergonomics risks can cause you is...Importance
Control 3MSA6If some aspects of your task must be changed to avoid ergonomics risk they are out of your control.Agreement
SA7Managers of health and safety in your company know and control the risks associated with ergonomics.Agreement
TransferenceSA8You have identified some risky activity among your tasks that you had not realized before the ergonomics training.Agreement
SA9You have changed some aspect of the way you undertake your task to avoid ergonomics risks after the training.Agreement
SA10The way you undertake your tasks after the training is better for your health than before.Agreement
Usefulness 3MSA11This training is useful for your work activity.Agreement
SA12This training is better than previous ones on the same issue you have received.Agreement
Table 4. Mean and standard deviation of the responses to each question by experimental group, and Cronbach’s alphas of the questions of each dimension (significance level of 0.05).
Table 4. Mean and standard deviation of the responses to each question by experimental group, and Cronbach’s alphas of the questions of each dimension (significance level of 0.05).
DimensionQuestionCronbach’s AlphaGrV Group Scores Mean (SD)Gr3D Group Scores Mean (SD)tp-Value
Concern PreT 0.9210.03 (3.75)9.71 (3.38)−0.370.714
PQ1-3.97 (1.29)3.74 (1.17)−0.770.441
PQ2-3.03 (1.25)3.09 (1.17)0.200.844
PQ3-3.03 (1.42)2.89 (1.37)−0.430.670
Control PreT 0.717.49 (2.25)7.26 (2.47)−0.400.687
PQ4-3.66 (1.51)3.51 (1.36)−0.420.679
PQ5 *-3.83 (1.10)3.74 (1.38)−0.290.774
Loads 0.858.26 (1.93)7.54 (2.31)−1.410.164
PQ6-4.48 (1.07)4.17 (1.18)−1.170.250
PQ7-3.77 (1.06)3.37 (1.26)−1.440.156
Repetitiveness 0.736.97 (2.19)6.74 (2.17)−0.440.660
PQ8-3.77 (1.33)3.71 (1.23)−0.190.852
PQ9-3.20 (1.18)3.03 (1.17)−0.610.545
Postures 0.838.00 (2.09)7.46 (2.31)−1.030.305
PQ10-4.29 (1.18)4.17 (1.17)−0.410.686
PQ11-3.71 (1.13)3.29 (1.27)−1.490.141
ExpectationRQ2-2.03 (0.86)3.48 (1.48)5.03<0.001 **
Interest 0.736.69 (1.37)9.60 (1.83)7.53<0.001 **
RQ3 *-4.03 (0.89)5.71 (0.96)7.63<0.001 **
RQ4-2.66 (0.97)3.88 (1.16)4.82<0.001 **
Usefulness PosT 0.706.97 (0.98)8.71 (1.64)5.40<0.001 **
RQ5-3.11 (0.63)3.91 (1.07)3.82<0.001 **
RQ6-3.85 (0.65)4.80 (0.80)5.43<0.001 **
Memory 0.865.26 (2.13)6.54 (2.58)2.240.029 **
SA1-3.09 (1.36)3.77 (1.39)2.060.431
SA2-2.17 (1.03)2.77 (1,26)2.140.036 **
Concern 3M 0.899.91(3.49)11.69 (3.71)2.040.045 **
SA3-3.20 (1.27)3.86 (1,40)2.020.047 **
SA4-3.88 (1.41)4.29 (1,18)1.290.201
SA5-2.82 (1.24)3.54 (1.46)2.200.031 **
Control 3M 0.727.71 (2.49)8.14 (1.87)0.830.411
SA6-3.53 (1.21)4.00 (1.00)1.760.083
SA7-4.17 (1.60)4.14 (1.06)−0.100.918
Transference 0.764.82 (1.71)5.60 (1.94)1.760.083
SA8-1.38 (0.60)1.71 (0.71)2.090.041 **
SA9-1.56 (0.66)1.80 (0.68)1.500.139
SA10-1.88 (0.88)2.09 (0.95)0.920.360
Usefulness 3M 0.717.50 (1.38)8.57 (2.28)2.360.021 **
SA11-3.64 (1.01)3.83 (1.44)0.600.549
SA12-3.85 (0.78)4.74 (1.12)3.81<0.001 **
* Inverted scores, ** Correlation statistically significant at p < 0.05.
Table 5. Analysis of covariance for means comparing the scores of the Concern dimension three month after the training based on training methods.
Table 5. Analysis of covariance for means comparing the scores of the Concern dimension three month after the training based on training methods.
Source of VarianceDegrees of Freedom (df)Mean Sum of Squares (MS)Fp-Value
Concern PreT1662.24210.10<0.001
Training method177.8924.71<0.001
Residuals663.15
Adjusted total68-

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Diego-Mas, J.A.; Alcaide-Marzal, J.; Poveda-Bautista, R. Effects of Using Immersive Media on the Effectiveness of Training to Prevent Ergonomics Risks. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2020, 17, 2592. https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph17072592

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Diego-Mas JA, Alcaide-Marzal J, Poveda-Bautista R. Effects of Using Immersive Media on the Effectiveness of Training to Prevent Ergonomics Risks. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2020; 17(7):2592. https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph17072592

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Diego-Mas, Jose Antonio, Jorge Alcaide-Marzal, and Rocio Poveda-Bautista. 2020. "Effects of Using Immersive Media on the Effectiveness of Training to Prevent Ergonomics Risks" International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 17, no. 7: 2592. https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph17072592

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