Virtual environments as memory training devices in navigational tasks for older adults

Authors: Lokka, I.E., Çöltekin, A., Wiener, J., Fabrikant, S.I. and Röcke, C.

Journal: Scientific Reports

Volume: 8

Issue: 1

eISSN: 2045-2322

DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-29029-x

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 (AbstractVE, 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.

https://eprints.bournemouth.ac.uk/31104/

Source: Scopus

Virtual environments as memory training devices in navigational tasks for older adults.

Authors: Lokka, I.E., Çöltekin, A., Wiener, J., Fabrikant, S.I. and Röcke, C.

Journal: Sci Rep

Volume: 8

Issue: 1

Pages: 10809

eISSN: 2045-2322

DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-29029-x

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 (AbstractVE, 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.

https://eprints.bournemouth.ac.uk/31104/

Source: PubMed

Virtual environments as memory training devices in navigational tasks for older adults

Authors: Lokka, I.E., Coltekin, A., Wiener, J., Fabrikant, S.I. and Rocke, C.

Journal: SCIENTIFIC REPORTS

Volume: 8

ISSN: 2045-2322

DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-29029-x

https://eprints.bournemouth.ac.uk/31104/

Source: Web of Science (Lite)

Virtual environments as memory training devices in navigational tasks for older adults

Authors: Lokka, I.E., Çöltekin, A., Wiener, J., Fabrikant, S.I. and Röcke, C.

Journal: Scientific Reports

Volume: 8

Issue: 1

DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-29029-x

https://eprints.bournemouth.ac.uk/31104/

Source: Manual

Virtual environments as memory training devices in navigational tasks for older adults.

Authors: Lokka, I.E., Çöltekin, A., Wiener, J., Fabrikant, S.I. and Röcke, C.

Journal: Scientific reports

Volume: 8

Issue: 1

Pages: 10809

eISSN: 2045-2322

ISSN: 2045-2322

DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-29029-x

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 (AbstractVE, 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.

https://eprints.bournemouth.ac.uk/31104/

Source: Europe PubMed Central

Virtual environments as memory training devices in navigational tasks for older adults.

Authors: Lokka, I.E., Çöltekin, A., Wiener, J., Fabrikant, S.I. and Röcke, C.

Journal: Scientific Reports

Volume: 8

Issue: 1

ISSN: 2045-2322

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 (AbstractVE, 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.

https://eprints.bournemouth.ac.uk/31104/

Source: BURO EPrints