The potential of using virtual reality-based self-paced treadmill to assess road-crossing safety and self-evaluation with traumatic brain injuries: a series case study

Abstract

AbstractImpaired self-awareness (ISA) is common following traumatic brain injury (TBI) and can significantly impact safe road-crossing. Road-crossing interventions are variable and involve high-risk real-world situations. Virtual reality (VR)-based road-crossing can elicit changes in real-world functioning but has not been trialled in the TBI population. The primary objective of this research was to explore whether VR-based self-paced treadmill technology offers a safe road-crossing assessment mechanism for people with TBI. Three participants with TBI completed two road-crossing pilot-trials using a VR-based self-paced treadmill. Avatar feedback and verbal feedback were provided between trials. Participants were provided with a safe road-crossing strategy for the second pilot-trial. The Researcher and Participant evaluated road-crossing following each trial using the Mayo-Portland Adaptability Inventory and the number of safe road-crossings to assess changes in self-evaluation and performance between trials. One of the participants perceived improvements in self-evaluation and performance in the second pilot-trial. All participants attempted to apply the safe road-crossing strategy advised. No safety issues were identified using the VR-based self-paced treadmill within this study’s protocol thereby supporting the primary objective of the work. Future research is warranted to strengthen the evidence-base for using VR to elicit improvements in ISA in road-crossing and in generalising findings to the wider TBI population.