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Published on: August 26, 2018
The SNaP Framework: A VR Tool for Assessing Spatial Navigation.
Michelle Annett1, Walter F Bischof
1Department of Computing Science, University of Alberta, Canada.
Studies in Health Technology and Informatics
|July 14, 2009
Summary
The Spatial Navigation Paradigm (SNaP) framework uses virtual reality (VR) to assess navigation decline in older adults. This system aids in developing and deploying experiments for diagnosing cognitive changes.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Human-Computer Interaction
- Gerontology
Background:
- Virtual Reality (VR) is increasingly used in psychology to study age-related cognitive decline.
- Existing research focuses on identifying suitable behavioral measurements and experimental paradigms for diagnosing navigation deficits in the elderly.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce the Spatial Navigation Paradigm (SNaP) framework, a system designed for implementing and studying spatial navigation paradigms.
- To enable precise control over experimental parameters, device integration, and behavioral data recording within VR environments.
Main Methods:
- The SNaP framework integrates a VR development platform with an extensible representation medium.
- It allows for flexible control of experimental paradigms, input/output devices, and data acquisition.
- The system is designed for ease of use by both novice and expert VR users.
Main Results:
- A preliminary study demonstrated that novice and expert VR users can efficiently specify and deploy experiments using the SNaP framework.
- Expert users were able to readily modify and extend existing paradigm implementations, showcasing the framework's flexibility.
Conclusions:
- The SNaP framework provides a robust and adaptable platform for research into spatial navigation and cognitive aging using VR.
- Its user-friendly design facilitates the development and execution of complex navigation experiments, aiding in the diagnosis of navigation deterioration.
