Abstract
Recently, there has been an increasing interest in using 360° virtual-reality video for an ecologically valid assessment of executive functioning in the neurologic population. In this framework, we have developed the EXecutive-functions Innovative Tool (EXIT 360°), an original 360°-based instrument for a multicomponent, ecologically valid evaluation of executive functioning in Parkinson’s Disease (PD). This work aimed to test the usability and user experience of EXIT 360° in patients with PD (PwPD). Twenty-seven PwPD and twenty-seven healthy controls underwent an evaluation that involved: (1) usability assessment by the System Usability Scale and (2) evaluation of user experience using the ICT—Sense of Presence and User Experience Questionnaire. Results showed a satisfactory level of usability for patients (mean = 76.94 ± 9.18) and controls (mean = 80 ± 11.22), with good scores for usability and learnability. Regarding user experience, patients provided a positive overall impression of the tool, evaluating it as attractive, enjoyable, activating, and funny. Moreover, EXIT 360° showed good pragmatic (e.g., efficient, fast, clear) and hedonic quality (e.g., exciting, interesting, and creative). Finally, PwPD considered EXIT 360° as an original tool with high ecological validity (mean = 4.29 ± 0.61), spatial presence (mean = 3.11 ± 0.83) and engagement (mean = 3.43 ± 0.54) without relevant adverse effects. Technological expertise had no impact on performance. Overall, EXIT 360° appeared to be a usable, easy-to-learn, engaging, and innovative instrument for PD. Further studies will be conducted to deepen its efficacy in distinguishing between healthy subjects and patients with executive dysfunctions.
Highlights
Introduction iationsOver the years, virtual reality-based (VR) tools have appeared to be a promising solution in neuropsychological assessment, providing an ecological evaluation to detect everyday cognitive impairments [1–3]
This study has shown that an evaluation in real-life context provides a more accurate estimate of the patient’s impairment, hidden in traditional measures: patients with Parkinson’s Disease (PD) differ from healthy controls subjects in version of the Multiple Errand Test (VMET) performance but not in the conventional neuropsychological assessment of executive functions (EFs)
Twenty-seven patients with PD (PwPD) (M:F = 11:16) and 27 healthy control subjects (HC) (M:F = 11:16) matched for age and education were consecutively recruited at IRCCS
Summary
Virtual reality-based (VR) tools have appeared to be a promising solution in neuropsychological assessment, providing an ecological evaluation to detect everyday cognitive impairments [1–3]. Several studies have shown the feasibility, acceptability, and efficacy of VR-based tools in the early assessment and rehabilitation of executive dysfunctions (ED) in many neurologic pathologies, for example, Parkinson’s disease (PD) [4–7]. ED constitutes a typical non-motor symptom in PD, from the early stages of the disease [8–11], with a negative impact on everyday functioning and quality of life [12–15]. Patients with PD showed several impairments in planning, attention, working memory, set-shifting, dual-task performance, inhibitory control, and decision making, compromising social–cognition abilities [5,16,17]. Patients have trouble in Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.
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