Paper Info
Title
Virtual Environments for Assessing and Rehabilitating Cognitive/Functional Performance A Review of Projects at the USC Integrated Media Systems Center
Abstract
Virtual reality (VR) technology offers new options for the creation of sophisticated tools that could be applied in the areas of assessment and rehabilitation of cognitive and functional processes. VR systems allow for the precise presentation and control of dynamic, multisensory, three-dimensional (3-D) stimulus environments, as well as the recording of all behavioral responses that occur within them. Assessment and rehabilitation scenarios that would be difficult if not impossible to deliver using conventional neuropsychological methods are now being developed that take advantage of these VR assets. If empirical studies demonstrate effectiveness, virtual environments (VEs) could be of considerable value for better understanding, measuring, and treating persons with impairments due to traumatic brain injury, neurological disorders, and learning disabilities. This article describes the progress of a VR research program at the USC Integrated Media Systems Center and Information Sciences Institute that has developed and investigated the use of a series of VEs designed to target (i) molecular visuospatial skills using a 3-D, projection-based ImmersaDesk system, and (ii) attention (and soon memory and executive functioning) processes within ecologically valid functional scenarios utilizing a head-mounted display (HMD). Results from completed research, rationales and methodology of works in progress, and our plan for future work is presented. Our primary vision has been to develop VR systems that target cognitive processes and functional skills that are of relevance to a wide range of patient populations with central nervous system (CNS) dysfunction, as well as for the assessment of unimpaired performance. We have also sought to select cognitive/functional targets that intuitively appear well matched to the specific assets available with currently available VR technology.
Year
DOI
Venue
2001
10.1162/1054746011470226
Presence
Keywords
DocType
Volume
ecological validity,central nervous system,virtual environment,virtual reality,work in progress,three dimensional,empirical study,cognitive process,head mounted display,cognitive function
Journal
10
Issue
ISSN
Citations 
4
1054-7460
5
PageRank 
References 
Authors
0.73
4
10
Name
Order
Citations
PageRank
Albert A. Rizzo153174.58
J. Galen Buckwalter25414.81
Jocelyn S. McGee3142.28
Todd Bowerly451.07
Cheryl van der Zaag58820.42
Ulrich Neumann62218191.28
Marcus Thiebaux732339.80
Laehyun Kim811519.91
Jarrell Pair912921.64
Clint Chua10173.07