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bioRxiv · 10.64898/2026.08.08.743673

Visual Complexity, Abstraction, and Human Figuration in Healthcare Wayfinding Symbols: An Eye-Tracking Study

Sharifi Nowghabi, A.·Sharghilavan, S.·Bagheri, A.·Izadifar, M.
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Abstract

Wayfinding in hospitals is often hindered by ineffective signage; however, the cognitive mechanisms of healthcare wayfinding symbols comprehension remain under-researched. This study utilized eye-tracking and spatial gaze mapping to examine how visual complexity, abstraction, and human figuration modulate perception in 40 healthy adults viewing 24 hospital-related healthcare wayfinding symbols. Results indicate that pupil size is a sensitive physiological marker of cognitive load, significantly influenced by visual complexity ({chi}2 = 11.32, p = .022) and abstraction ({chi}2 = 7.49, p = .027). Human figuration reduced fixation duration and increased saccade amplitude, facilitating efficient semantic integration. Furthermore, human-centric healthcare wayfinding symbols elicited streamlined gaze trajectories, whereas abstract/complex designs induced chaotic scanpaths. These findings suggest that human figuration acts as a cognitive scaffold, reducing mental effort. We provide evidence-based guidelines for optimizing healthcare wayfinding symbols by prioritizing human body representations and balancing abstraction levels. HighlightO_LIPupil size indexes cognitive load during symbol comprehension. C_LIO_LIHuman figuration cuts fixation duration, boosting wayfinding efficiency. C_LIO_LIAbstract symbols increase pupil dilation, raising cognitive load. C_LI

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Sharifi Nowghabi, A., Sharghilavan, S., Bagheri, A., Izadifar, M.. 2026-08-18. Visual Complexity, Abstraction, and Human Figuration in Healthcare Wayfinding Symbols: An Eye-Tracking Study. https://doi.org/10.64898/2026.08.08.743673

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