Adaptive Performance and Cognitive Regulation in Immersive VR Vocational Training

Abstract

Immersive virtual reality (VR) provides a valuable platform for examining cognitive regulation and adaptive performance in realistic vocational tasks. This study investigated adaptation in a hand-tracked VR coffee-preparation task across two trials: a fully guided trial and a subsequent reduced-guidance trial. Thirty participants ( N = 30) completed both trials. Performance was assessed using NASA-TLX-based subjective workload ratings, confidence, perceived interaction difficulty, segment-level task times, total completion time, and object-drop errors. Results showed significant reductions in workload, interaction difficulty, insertion, grinding, tamping, and total completion times, as well as fewer dropped objects, while confidence increased. Prior VR experience was associated with lower interaction difficulty, whereas coffee-related experience was associated with higher confidence.