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Virtual Reality for Neuropsychological Assessment

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Virtual, Augmented Reality and Serious Games for Healthcare 1

Part of the book series: Intelligent Systems Reference Library ((ISRL,volume 68))

Abstract

Neuropsychology comprises a set of theoretical and experimental knowledge about relationships between the brain, cognitive processes and human activity. However, in the latest years, several criticism have been raised about the validity of neuropsychological tests for capturing nervous system dysfunctions and predicting the level of decline that individuals may show in their daily lives. Traditional paper and pencil tests lack ecological validity and generalizing its results to describe daily life cognitive functioning of individuals is controversial. In order to overcome this, and in parallel with development and cost decreases of virtual reality (VR) technology, integration of informatics and neuroscience is approaching the achievement of a more objective, precise, and ecologically valid neuropsychological assessment based on VR technology. The current chapter describes the problems faced with classical neuropsychological assessment tools and the need of improvement of their validity; the potential advantages of using VR based neuropsychological tests versus classical tests; and the actual progress made in using VR based tools to measure cognitive functions such as attention, memory or executive functions, with some of these tools already standardized and available in the market. Finally, predicted advantages of these tools for the early diagnosis of different neurological and neurodegenerative conditions and its implications in reduction of healthcare costs are considered.

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Abbreviations

3D:

Three-dimensional

AD:

Alzheimer’s disease

ADHD:

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

CPT:

Continuous performance test

CVLT:

California verbal learning test

LFAM:

Look for a match test

MCI:

Mild cognitive impairment

TBI:

Traumatic brain injury

RBMT:

Rivermead behavioral memory test

V-STORE:

Virtual store test

VAPS:

Virtual action planning supermarket

V-MALL:

Virtual mall

V-MET:

Virtual multiple errands test

VR:

Virtual reality

WCST:

Wisconsin card sorting test

WISC:

Wechsler intelligence scales for children

WISC-R:

Wechsler intelligence scales for children—revised

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Resources on Virtual Reality-Based Neuropsychological Assessment and Related Areas

  1. www.nesplora.com—Webpage of Nesplora, Technology and Behavior (Spain), the company developer of AULA and Ice Cream Seller VR-based neuropsychological tests

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  8. www.neurovr.org/neurovr2/—platform to create your own virtual environments, including assessment tools

  9. www.giusepperiva.com/—Webpage of the president of the international association of cyberpsychology, training, and rehabilitation and member of the steering committee of the society for computers in psychology. Many articles and resources available

  10. http://www.cybertherapy.info/—This site contains information about the use of advanced technologies—virtual reality, mixed reality, interreality, ambient intelligence—in health care

  11. http://www.arctt.info/—Annual review of cybertherapy and telemedicine, updated continously

  12. http://profs.formazione.univr.it/npsy-labvr/—Webpage of the Laboratory of Neuropsychology in Verona (Italy), very active in this area of knowledge

  13. http://www.pages.drexel.edu/~sg94g745/index.html—Applied Neurotechnologies Lab webpage

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Nesplora Technology and Behaviour, Paseo Mikeletegi, 54, Planta 1, Local 108-109, 20009, San Sebastián, Donostia, Guipúzcoa, Spain

    Unai Diaz-Orueta, Beñat Lizarazu, Gema Climent & Flavio Banterla

Authors
  1. Unai Diaz-Orueta
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  2. Beñat Lizarazu
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  3. Gema Climent
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  4. Flavio Banterla
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Correspondence to Unai Diaz-Orueta .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Digital Design Studio, Glasgow School of Art, Glasgow, United Kingdom

    Minhua Ma

  2. Faculty of Education, Science, Technology & Mathematics, University of Canberra, Canberra, Australia

    Lakhmi C. Jain

  3. Digital Design Studio, Glasgow School of Art, Glasgow, United Kingdom

    Paul Anderson

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Diaz-Orueta, U., Lizarazu, B., Climent, G., Banterla, F. (2014). Virtual Reality for Neuropsychological Assessment. In: Ma, M., Jain, L., Anderson, P. (eds) Virtual, Augmented Reality and Serious Games for Healthcare 1. Intelligent Systems Reference Library, vol 68. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-54816-1_13

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-54816-1_13

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