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@article{203318,
        author = {Wasim Akram and Rauf Iqbal},
        title = {A Systematic Review of Cognitive Stress in Complex Operational Tasks: Identifying Critical Success Factors and Stress Management Practices.},
        journal = {International Journal of Innovative Research in Technology},
        year = {2026},
        volume = {12},
        number = {12},
        pages = {11457-11469},
        issn = {2349-6002},
        url = {https://ijirt.org/article?manuscript=203318},
        abstract = {Human–Computer Interaction (HCI) environments with complex operational tasks require continuous monitoring, rapid decision-making, and time-sensitive responses, impacting safety, productivity, and organizational performance. These environments often lead to operators experiencing higher cognitive stress, fatigue, reduced concentration, and decision errors. The primary objective of this study is to identify the Critical Success Factors (CSFs) and Stress Management Practices (SMPs) for mitigating mental stress and improving human performance in complex operational settings. An academic publication database from 2006 to 2026 was utilised to carry out a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) based on the PRISMA framework. Descriptive statistical methods were employed in a systematic analysis of the chosen studies to determine the major trends and findings.
Research on Critical Success Factors (CSFs) and Stress Management Practices (SMPs) has grown significantly. It highlights the role of organizational safety culture, fatigue management, adaptive task allocation and wearable technologies in reducing cognitive stress. The findings underscore the significance of multi-disciplinary, technology-enabled and human-centred interventions for performance and safety enhancement in complex operational environments. However, existing studies still suffer from sample sizes, industry-specific focus and lack of Human–Computer Interaction (HCI) perspectives and thus may be limited in application to the various operational contexts.},
        keywords = {Cognitive stress; Control room operator; Critical Success factors; Human factors; Stress Management Practices},
        month = {May},
        }