Abstract
Cognitive training approaches using virtual environments (VEs) might counter age-related visuospatial memory decline and associated difficulties in wayfinding. However, the effects of the visual design of a VE in route learning are not fully understood. Therefore, we created a custom-designed VE optimized for route learning, with adjusted levels of realism and highlighted landmark locations (MixedVE). Herein we tested participants’ route recall performance in identifying direction of turn at the intersection with this MixedVE against two baseline alternatives (VE, RealisticVE). An older vs. a younger group solved the tasks in two stages (immediate vs. delayed recall by one week). Our results demonstrate that the MixedVE facilitates better recall accuracy than the other two VEs for both age groups. Importantly, this pattern persists a week later. Additionally, our older participants were mostly overconfident in their route recall performance, but the MixedVE moderated this potentially detrimental overconfidence. Before the experiment, participants clearly preferred the RealisticVE, whereas after the experiment, most of the younger, and many of the older participants, preferred the MixedVE. Taken together, our findings provide insights into the importance of tailoring visualization design in route learning with VEs. Furthermore, we demonstrate the great potential of the MixedVE and by extension, of similar VEs as memory training devices for route learning, especially for older participants.
Highlights
Navigation is a key component of human daily life, both when moving between locations in familiar environments, and when reaching new destinations in unfamiliar environments
We previously demonstrated that younger adults overall benefit from the MixedVE compared to the AbstractVE and RealisticVEs in visual, spatial, and visuospatial memory tasks in a route learning context[53]
Motivated by earlier work on cognitive training, and informed by the principles of visualization design, we tested if one can customize a virtual environments (VEs), which could eventually be used as a memory training device in a route learning context
Summary
Navigation is a key component of human daily life, both when moving between locations in familiar environments, and when reaching new destinations in unfamiliar environments. The real-time assistance might contribute to the decline in the ability to independently navigate, as a large portion of the mental effort is externalized to the device and no active engagement from the user is necessary[5] This argument would be in line with cognitive aging propositions of “use it or lose it”[6]. The potential of VEs as memory training devices for older adults in the context of route learning, and the effects of varying the design of VEs (optimizing the realism levels and landmark locations) on the memorability of the routes, are poorly understood[7] We address this gap as it has important consequences for the development and design of novel interventions to target the highly relevant ability of successful navigation, and independent living. We review the key literature regarding memory decline in older adults, in a navigation context; and investigate the potential of VEs as memory training devices from a visualization design perspective
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