VR/AR in ergonomics and workspace design: a dual-perspective analysis of applications and implications

This literature review systematically examines virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) technologies in ergonomics and workspace design using a comprehensive dataset of scholarly articles from Web of Science database. A hybrid review methodology integrating both bibliometric and content analysis used HistCite enabled citation-based analysis and performance mapping on 279 articles. Bibliographic coupling analysis using VOSviewer identified five major research themes based on two distinct perspectives: (1) application of VR/AR as tools for improving ergonomic assessments and workspace design, and (2) ergonomic implications of VR/AR system usage. Content analysis of 48 highly relevant articles further explored these themes, elucidating insights into current trends, research gaps, and future research directions. Major outcomes emerged from this analysis demonstrated that integrating VR/AR can improve skill acquisition, reduce errors, and improve user engagement across multiple sectors, from clinical applications to industrial assembly lines. However, persistent barriers include limited field of view in headsets, insufficient haptic fidelity, risk of user fatigue (physical and mental) due to device weight and poorly optimized user interfaces. Key recommendations include prioritizing longitudinal studies on VR/AR efficacy, improving cognitive ergonomics metrics, advancing haptic feedback systems, etc. These insights could provide roadmap for researchers and practitioners implementing immersive technologies for physical and cognitive ergonomic evaluations.