Abstract
Impairment of spatial memory, including an inability to recall previous locations and navigate the world, is often one of the first signs of functional disability on the road to cognitive impairment. While there are many screening and diagnostic tools which attempt to measure spatial memory ability, they are often not representative of real-life situations and can therefore lack applicability. One potential solution to this problem involves the use of virtual reality (VR), which immerses individuals in a virtually-simulated environment, allowing for scenarios more representative of real-life without any of the associated risks. Here, we review the evidence surrounding the use of VR for the screening and diagnosis of spatial memory impairments, including potential limitations and how it compares to standard neuropsychological tests. We will also discuss the evidence regarding the potential use of VR in the rehabilitation of spatial memory deficits, which has not been well studied, but which could be game-changing if proven successful.
Highlights
Virtual Reality (VR) is a promising modality for the screening, diagnosis, and possible rehabilitation of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer’s disease (AD)
Immersive VR uses head-mounted devices to immerse users in a 3D environment; this offers 360◦ audio and visual stimuli, allowing users to experience a greater sense of presence within the computer-simulated 3D environment (D’Cunha et al, 2019)
There is an opportunity for future studies to focus on the long-term rehabilitation of spatial memory deficits that can be extrapolated to unrelated tasks
Summary
Virtual Reality (VR) is a promising modality for the screening, diagnosis, and possible rehabilitation of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer’s disease (AD). When comparing the results in training periods and test trials, Hofmann et al (2003) determined that they had measured a procedural memory learning effect Participants improved their ability to perform a specific task rather than rehabilitated their spatial memory deficits. It is unclear why Kober et al (2013) showed improvement on neuropsychological testing in contrast with the results of Hofmann et al (2003), the results indicate the possibility of increased cognitive function following VR intervention These results are promising, Kober et al (2013) do not comment on long-term rehabilitation or how the participants’ spatial memory might have improved in tasks related to daily living. There is an opportunity for future studies to focus on the long-term rehabilitation of spatial memory deficits that can be extrapolated to unrelated tasks
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