30 March 2009
Age and dementia related differences in spatial navigation within an immersive virtual environment
Konstantine K. ZakzanisACDEFG, Genevieve QuintinABCDEF, Simon J. GrahamACDG, Richard MrazABCDMed Sci Monit 2009; 15(4): CR140-150 :: ID: 869613
Abstract
Background
Immersive virtual reality (VR) is an innovative tool that can allow study of human spatial navigation in a realistic but controlled environment. The purpose of this study was to examine age- and Alzheimer's disease-related differences in route learning and memory using VR.
Material and Method
The spatial memory task took place in a VR environment set up on a Computer Workstation. Participants were immersed by putting video unit goggles over their eyes using a Head Mounted. Participants were shown a path within a virtual city, and then had to navigate it as quickly and accurately as possible. They were granted four learning trials on this path. An interference path was then presented before asking participants to re-navigate the first route at short and long delays. Finally, participants were tested for recognition of the city's buildings and objects.
Results
Young adults were consistently quicker and more accurate in their path navigation than older participants whilst those patients with Alzheimer's Disease made more mistakes on the recognition task in particular, being more likely to mistakenly affirm having seen an element in the city when it was in fact a foil.
Conclusions
Our study would suggest that spatial navigation is susceptible to the effects of aging and Alzheimer's Disease. The potential applications of VR to the study of spatial navigation is seemingly important in that it may help place the science of neuropsychology on firmer scientific grounds in terms of its validity to real world function and dysfunction.
Keywords: Spatial Behavior, Dementia - physiopathology, Aged, 80 and over, User-Computer Interface
Editorial
01 January 2023 : Editorial
Editorial: Current Status of Two Adjuvanted Malaria Vaccines and the World Health Organization (WHO) Strategy to Eradicate Malaria by 2030DOI: 10.12659/MSM.939357
Med Sci Monit 2023; 29:e939357
SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19
26 January 2023 : Editorial
Editorial: The XBB.1.5 (‘Kraken’) Subvariant of Omicron SARS-CoV-2 and its Rapid Global SpreadMed Sci Monit In Press; DOI: 10.12659/MSM.939580
19 January 2023 : Clinical Research
Evaluation of Health-Related Quality of Life and Mental Health in 729 Medical Students in Indonesia During ...Med Sci Monit In Press; DOI: 10.12659/MSM.938892
19 January 2023 : Clinical Research
Determining the Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Dental Care in the Serbian Adult Population: An Online Q...Med Sci Monit 2023; 29:e939238
27 December 2022 : Clinical Research
Effect of Physiotherapy to Correct Rounded Shoulder Posture in 30 Patients During the COVID-19 Pandemic in ...Med Sci Monit 2022; 28:e938926
In Press
31 Jan 2023 : Clinical Research
Balloon Dilation Eustachian Tuboplasty Combined with Tympanotomy Tube Insertion for Treatment of Refractory...Med Sci Monit In Press; DOI: 10.12659/MSM.938879
31 Jan 2023 : Clinical Research
Comparison of Vision Correction and Corneal Thickness at 180-Day Follow-Up After Femtosecond Laser-Assisted...Med Sci Monit In Press; DOI: 10.12659/MSM.939099
30 Jan 2023 : Clinical Research
Splenic Artery Steal Syndrome in Patients with Liver Cirrhosis: A Retrospective Clinical StudyMed Sci Monit In Press; DOI: 10.12659/MSM.938998
27 Jan 2023 : Database Analysis
Association Between Neutrophil-Lymphocyte Ratio and All-Cause Mortality in Critically Ill Patients with Chr...Med Sci Monit In Press; DOI: 10.12659/MSM.938554
Most Viewed Current Articles
13 Nov 2021 : Clinical Research
Acceptance of COVID-19 Vaccination and Its Associated Factors Among Cancer Patients Attending the Oncology ...DOI :10.12659/MSM.932788
Med Sci Monit 2021; 27:e932788
30 Dec 2021 : Clinical Research
Retrospective Study of Outcomes and Hospitalization Rates of Patients in Italy with a Confirmed Diagnosis o...DOI :10.12659/MSM.935379
Med Sci Monit 2021; 27:e935379
08 Mar 2022 : Review article
A Review of the Potential Roles of Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Pharmacological Approaches for the Man...DOI :10.12659/MSM.936292
Med Sci Monit 2022; 28:e936292
01 Jan 2022 : Editorial
Editorial: Current Status of Oral Antiviral Drug Treatments for SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Non-Hospitalized Pa...DOI :10.12659/MSM.935952
Med Sci Monit 2022; 28:e935952