CYBERSICKNESS ASSOCIATED WITH DIGITAL TOOL USE AMONG CONSTRUCTION PRACTITIONERS: SYMPTOM PATTERNS, ASSOCIATED FACTORS AND COPING STRATEGIES
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.21837/pm.v24i44.2303Keywords:
Industry 4.0, cybersickness, digital tools, digital well-being, construction practitioners, construction industryAbstract
Digital technologies have transformed the way construction work is planned, coordinated and executed, resulting in increasingly digital and screen-intensive work environments. However, prolonged digital exposure has also raised concerns regarding cybersickness and occupational well-being. Although generally not considered a serious medical condition, cybersickness may adversely affect user comfort and potentially hinder the sustainable adoption of digital technologies. Despite the industry’s growing digitalisation, empirical evidence on cybersickness among construction practitioners remains limited, leaving a lack of evidence-based guidance to promote healthier Construction 4.0 work environments. Therefore, this study investigated the self-reported occurrence and severity of cybersickness among Malaysian construction practitioners, examined demographic and digital usage factors associated with symptom severity, and explored coping strategies adopted to mitigate discomfort. A quantitative approach was employed using a structured questionnaire survey involving 109 construction practitioners in Malaysia. The findings revealed that more than half of the respondents experienced cybersickness symptoms intermittently, predominantly in the form of oculomotor discomfort, including eye strain, headaches and difficulty focusing. Higher symptom severity was observed among female and younger practitioners and was associated with prolonged continuous screen exposure rather than overall daily digital exposure. To alleviate discomfort, practitioners primarily adopted behavioural and ergonomic measures, with regular breaks, screen adjustment and ergonomic posture emerging as the most common coping strategies. This study extends cybersickness research beyond gaming and laboratory settings by providing empirical evidence from professional construction practice and offering insights for industry practitioners, organisations, and policymakers to develop healthier, more sustainable digital work environments.
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