Multifactorial Measurement of Mental Strain for Developing Adaptive Assistance Systems in Control Rooms

This study investigates the mental strain among control room workers, as a requisite for developing adaptive assistance systems, specifically for the energy sector. Through preliminary interviews with personnel of a German energy supply company, we identified mental workload, attention, emotional states, and mental fatigue as relevant user states. Twenty male dispatchers from the same company participated in the study, completing validated questionnaires including the Workload Profile, Activation-Deactivation Adjective Check List, Flow-Experience Questionnaire, and Self-Assessment Manikin during normal shifts. Results revealed moderate workload demands with high variability, stable tension and activation levels, moderate concentration, and positive emotional states during shifts. These findings provide valuable insights for designing adaptive assistance systems that can respond dynamically to operators' needs, potentially enhancing job satisfaction, performance and efficiency in control room settings.