Comprehensive Systematic Literature Review on Cognitive Workload: Trends on Methods, Technologies and Case Studies

Abstract

Cognitive workload (CWL) assessment has gained increasing importance in Industry 4.0 and 5.0 settings where human–machine interactions are becoming more complex. Despite growing attention, a comprehensive CWL assessment that integrates methodologies, technologies and case studies is still lacking. This study reviews 69 articles related to the CWL assessment, selected from the Scopus database. The review identifies five primary methodologies for the CWL assessment: physiological measures, subjective evaluation (e.g., NASA-TLX), performance evaluation, cognitive load models and multimodal approaches. The analysis shows an increasing trend towards multimodal approaches that combine subjective assessment methods with physiological measures obtained from electroencephalography, eye tracking and heart rate monitoring devices. Additionally, emerging technologies such as advanced sensors and specialised equipment are increasingly considered in case studies that address the CWL assessment in current work environments. Results reveal significant advancements in physiological and multimodal assessment methods, particularly emphasising real-time monitoring capabilities and context-specific applications. Case studies underscore the key role of CWL management in assembly, maintenance and construction tasks, demonstrating its impact on performance, safety and adaptability in dynamic environments. This review establishes a framework for advancing CWL research by addressing methodological limitations and proposing future research directions, including the development of personalised, adaptive systems for real-time workload management.