Abstract :
[en] Return to work (RTW) after sick leave is often associated with anxiety in workers. Based on cognitive and behavioural therapy (CBT), Work-focused cognitive behavioural therapy (W-CBT) includes gradual RTW (i.e., partial work resumption) to overcome anxiety and facilitate RTW. In particular, learning to cope with RTW-related difficulties while enhancing self-efficacy is essential when resuming work. Using virtual reality (VR) to simulate RTW situations is promising, as it offers greater control and security than real-life situations. This study investigates the potential of virtual work environments simulating RTW to elicit relevant emotional reactions, enhance the sense of presence, and maintain low levels of
cybersickness, in view of their use as exposure tools in a non-clinical population. Seventy workers were first immersed in a “quiet desk” (i.e., control environment) and then in work environments. They completed self-assessments of emotional comfort, negative emotions (i.e., anxiety, discouragement, anger, and guilt), state somatic and cognitive anxiety, sense of
presence, and cybersickness. Results revealed that the work environments elicited anxiety and reduced emotional comfort, while demonstrating good immersive properties, as reflected by high levels of presence and low levels of cybersickness. The present study provides evidence supporting the use of virtual work environments as exposure tools in W-CBT.
