Building Embodied Spaces for Spatial Memory Neurorehabilitation with Virtual Reality in Normal and Pathological Aging

Area of Science:

• Cognitive Neuroscience
• Gerontology
• Human-Computer Interaction

Background:

• Aging is associated with spatial cognition decline, impacting navigation, memory, and perception.
• Embodied cognition theories emphasize the role of bodily and environmental information in cognitive representations.
• Current virtual neurorehabilitation for aging is limited, despite VR's potential.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore how virtual reality (VR) can improve embodied spatial representations for neurorehabilitation in aging.
• To introduce three VR-based concepts for enhancing spatial memory and navigation.

Main Methods:

• Discusses virtual bodily representation (idiothetic information via input/output devices).
• Explains spatial affordances (environmental/symbolic elements for interaction).
• Introduces the virtual enactment effect (memory enhancement through active interaction).

Main Results:

• Theoretical and empirical findings support the proposed VR concepts.
• Active interaction within VR environments enhances spatial memory.
• Multisensory cues and body-related information in VR are key.

Conclusions:

• Virtual reality offers significant potential for spatial memory and navigation rehabilitation in aging.
• The proposed concepts—virtual bodily representation, spatial affordances, and virtual enactment—can advance VR-based neurorehabilitation.
• Further development of VR solutions is needed for aging and neurodegenerative diseases.