Robotic Surgery Study Shows Surgeons Experience Variable Stress

A field study published online in Surgical Endoscopy on June 30, 2026 examined how robot‑assisted surgery (RAS) affects surgeon stress. The research was led by Professor Yoshihiro Shimomura of the Design Research Institute at Chiba University, Japan, together with Dr. Kaiqi Wei, Dr. Nanako Nakamura and Dr. Shinichi Sakamoto.

Seven experienced urologists performed live RAS procedures while wearing lightweight sensors that recorded brain activity (EEG), shoulder and neck muscle activity (EMG) and heart activity (ECG). After each operation the surgeons reviewed video of their console view and marked moments when their perceived stress changed, allowing the physiological data to be matched to self‑reported stress levels.

The results indicate that surgeon stress fluctuates throughout the operation and involves cognitive, musculoskeletal and autonomic responses. The authors suggest that these insights could improve surgical training, operating‑room design and support systems for physicians performing robotic procedures.