Abstract

Virtual Reality technology offers the potential to create sophisticated new tools which could be applied in the areas of neuropsychological assessment and cognitive rehabilitation. If empirical studies demonstrate effectiveness, virtual environments (VE’s) could be of considerable benefit to persons with cognitive and functional impairments due to acquired brain injury, neurological disorders, and learning disabilities. Testing and training scenarios that would be difficult, if not impossible, to deliver using conventional neuropsychological methods are being developed which take advantage of the attributes of virtual environments. VE technology allows for the precise presentation and control of dynamic 3D stimulus environments, in which all behavioral responding can be recorded. A cognitive domain where the specific advantages found in a virtual environment are particularly well-suited, is with human visuospatial ability. Our paper outlines the application of a virtual environment for the study, assessment, and possible rehabilitation of a visuospatial ability referred to as mental rotation. The rationale for the Virtual Reality Spatial Rotation (VRSR) system is discussed, and the experimental design that is being used to collect data from a normal, aged 18 to 40 population is presented. Our research questions are then outlined and we discuss some preliminary observations on the data that has been collected thus far with the system.

Date

March 19, 1998

Authors

A Rizzo, JG Buckwalter, P Larson, A Van Rooyen, K Kratz, U Neumann, C Kesselman, M Thiebaux

Journal

Proceedings of the 2nd european conference on disability, virtual reality and associated techniques, Sköve, Sweden

Pages

213-220