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Stasolla F, Di Gioia M. Combining reinforcement learning and virtual reality in mild neurocognitive impairment: a new usability assessment on patients and caregivers. Front Aging Neurosci 2023; 15:1189498. [PMID: 37293666 PMCID: PMC10244593 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2023.1189498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2023] [Accepted: 04/26/2023] [Indexed: 06/10/2023] Open
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Tuena C, Serino S, Stramba-Badiale C, Pedroli E, Goulene KM, Stramba-Badiale M, Riva G. Usability of an Embodied CAVE System for Spatial Navigation Training in Mild Cognitive Impairment. J Clin Med 2023; 12:jcm12051949. [PMID: 36902733 PMCID: PMC10003531 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12051949] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2022] [Revised: 02/23/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) usually report navigation and spatial memory impairments. Spatial navigation is an embodied process that requires the active involvement of both physical (e.g., motor commands and proprioception) and cognitive (e.g., decision-making and mental rotation) information. Immersive virtual reality (IVR) is a valuable tool that employs this information as real-world navigation does. Given the crucial impact of spatial navigation on daily life, research should focus on ways to enhance it. Though they are still in their development, contemporary IVR methods for spatial navigation training in MCI seem promising. In this usability study, eight patients with MCI syndrome tested an IVR spatial navigation training demo and interacted with the CAVE using active stereo glasses, a foot-motion pad, and a joypad. During the demo, users were asked to report their impressions on the IVR training using the thinking-aloud procedure. Moreover, questionnaires regarding usability, presence and cybersickness were administered at the end of the experience. Our results show that the first version of this system is usable by the patients even if most of them did not have experience with PC/IVR. The system provided a moderate sense of spatial presence and limited negative effects. Issues found during the thinking-aloud procedure concerned the visual aspects, which affected the interaction user-system. Participants reported that they needed more practice with the foot-motion pad even though the overall experience was positively evaluated. Identifying these critical features was essential to develop an improved version of the current system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cosimo Tuena
- Applied Technology for Neuro-Psychology Lab, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Via Magnasco 2, 20149 Milan, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-02-61-911-2726
| | - Silvia Serino
- Department of Psychology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Largo Gemelli, 1, 20121 Milan, Italy
| | - Chiara Stramba-Badiale
- Applied Technology for Neuro-Psychology Lab, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Via Magnasco 2, 20149 Milan, Italy
| | - Elisa Pedroli
- Applied Technology for Neuro-Psychology Lab, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Via Magnasco 2, 20149 Milan, Italy
- Faculty of Psychology, Università eCampus, Via Isimbardi 10, 22060 Novedrate, Italy
| | - Karine Marie Goulene
- Department of Geriatrics and Cardiovascular Medicine, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Via Mosè Bianchi 90, 20149 Milan, Italy
| | - Marco Stramba-Badiale
- Department of Geriatrics and Cardiovascular Medicine, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Via Mosè Bianchi 90, 20149 Milan, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Riva
- Applied Technology for Neuro-Psychology Lab, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Via Magnasco 2, 20149 Milan, Italy
- Humane Technology Lab, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Largo Gemelli, 1, 20121 Milan, Italy
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