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. 2018 Jul 17;8(1):10809.
doi: 10.1038/s41598-018-29029-x.

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

Ismini E Lokka  1 , Arzu Çöltekin  2 , Jan Wiener  3 , Sara I Fabrikant  1 , Christina Röcke  4
Affiliations

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

Ismini E Lokka et al. Sci Rep. .

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.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no competing interests.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Screenshots from the three VEs to illustrate their visual designs (not to scale). The AbstractVE is rendered in grayscale without photo-textures, whereas the RealisticVE is fully photo-textured. The MixedVE is a combination of the two in which most elements are rendered in grayscale but buildings at critical positions and the road network are photo-textured.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Main effects of (a) age, (b) recall stage, and (c) visualization type on recall accuracy, and (d) interactions between recall stage × visualization type (irrespective of age). The chance level is marked with a light line in 33% recall accuracy. ***p < 0.001, **p < 0.01. Error bars: SEM.
Figure 3
Figure 3
An overview of participants’ recall accuracies in the experimental tasks organized by age, and recall stage for the three visualizations. Left: Younger participants, Right: Older participants. Top: Immediate recall stage, Bottom: Delayed recall stage. The chance level is marked with a light line in 33% recall accuracy. ***p < 0.001, **p < 0.01, *p < 0.05. Error bars: SEM.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Main effects of (a) age, (b) recall stage, and (c) visualization type on the calibration error, as well as (d) interactions between recall stage × visualization type (irrespective of age). ***p < 0.001, **p < 0.01. Error bars: SEM.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Participants’ calibration errors organized by visualization type, age, and recall stage. Left: Younger participants, Right: Older participants. Top: Calibration errors in the immediate recall stage, Bottom: Calibration errors in the delayed recall stage. ***p < 0.001, **p < 0.01, *p < 0.05. Error bars: SEM. u: underconfidence, o: overconfidence.
Figure 6
Figure 6
Visualization preferences of younger and older participants before and after the experiment.
Figure 7
Figure 7
Spatial tasks. Main effects of (a) age, (b) recall stage, (c) visualization type on sketch task, and (d) interactions between age × visualization type (irrespective of recall stage). ***p < 0.001, *p < 0.05. Error bars: SEM.
Figure 8
Figure 8
Visual tasks. Main effects of (a) age, (b) recall stage, (c) visualization type on visual task, and interactions between (d) age × visualization type (irrespective of recall stage), and (e) recall stage × visualization type (irrespective of age). ***p < 0.001. Error bars: SEM.
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