Assessing Cognitive Statuses of Hispanic Construction Workers: A Critical Review to Support Future AR and MR Ergonomic Research

Although augmented reality (AR) and mixed reality (MR) technologies are increasingly explored in construction for their potential to enhance task execution, understanding their impact on workers’ cognitive status (CS) is essential for safe and effective implementation. Hispanic construction workers (HCWs), who comprise nearly 30% of the US construction workforce and face disproportionately high injury rates, may exhibit distinct cognitive responses to AR/MR due to challenges uniquely experienced by this population, including language barriers, limited access to training, and job insecurity. Although prior studies have examined the cognitive effects of AR/MR among the general construction workforce, research specifically focused on HCWs in AR/MR-integrated environments remains scarce. This article highlights this demographic-specific gap and provides a foundational research framework for future studies examining the implications of AR/MR systems on CS of HCWs. By synthesizing the findings from 44 studies, the article identifies the categories of CS investigated, classifies the quantitative methods used for assessment, and analyzes experimental design practices and data processing approaches. Building on these findings, the article offers targeted recommendations for future AR/MR research involving HCWs. These include specifying critical CS constructs, evaluating the feasibility and limitations of validated CS measurement tools, addressing key experimental design factors such as participant recruitment, language accommodation, and the robustness of experimental protocols, as well as incorporating advanced data analysis techniques. By establishing the conceptual and methodological groundwork for future AR/MR research with HCWs, this study is intended to support the subsequent development of demographically inclusive, cognitively informed systems that can enhance safety and performance in construction settings.