Applicability of an immersive virtual reality system to assess egocentric orientation of older adults

Author(s)

da Silva, Juliana Magalhaes ; dos Santos, Michelle Didone ; da Costa, Raquel Quimas Molina ; Moretto, Emerson Galves ; de Viveiro, Larissa Alamino Pereira ; Lopes, Roseli de Deus ; Brucki, Sonia Maria Dozzi ; Pompeu, Jose Eduardo

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Arquivos de Neuro-Psiquiatria; v. 81, n. 01, p. 8-pg., 2023-01-01.

Abstract

Background Spatial orientation is a cognitive domain frequently compromised in patients with Alzheimer disease (AD) and may be one of its first clinical manifestations. Some studies have shown that allocentric integration with egocentric spatial information seems to be impaired in this pathology. There is no consensus on how best to assess spatial orientation and traditional tests lack ecological validity, but, recently, virtual reality (VR) has provided new opportunities for this assessment.Objectives To analyze the applicability and stability of an immersive virtual task developed to assess spatial orientation, the Spatial Orientation in Immersive Virtual Environment Maze Test (SOIVET-Maze) in older adults with and without mild cognitive impairment.Methods Forty-three older adults were included in the study, 24 without cognitive impairment and 19 with mild cognitive impairment. Applicability was assessed by the Witmer and Singer Sense of Presence Questionnaire and a questionnaire for adverse events of cybersickness. To assess stability, participants were assessed twice with an interval of 7 to 14 days, and the intraclass correlation coefficient was calculated between visits. The t test or the Mann-Whitney test was used to compare applicability and stability between groups.Results There was no significant difference between the groups regarding applicability. A strong correlation between the first and second day of testing was found in the mild cognitive impairment group.Conclusion The SOIVET-Maze task showed excellent applicability and good stability, favoring its clinical application for the evaluation of spatial orientation in older adults. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 16/04984-3 - Topographical orientation assessment in a virtual reality environment in patients with mild cognitive impairment
• Grantee: Sonia Maria Dozzi Brucki
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - eScience and Data Science Program - Regular Program Grants
• FAPESP's process: 14/22348-1 - EFFECTS OF VIRTUAL REHABILITATION ON POSTURAL CONTROL, COGNITION AND QUALITY OF LIFE OF PATIENT WITH PARKINSON DISEASE
• Grantee: José Eduardo Pompeu
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants