Predicting real world spatial disorientation in Alzheimer's disease patients using virtual reality navigation tests

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Gerontology
• Human-Computer Interaction

Background:

• Spatial disorientation is a common symptom in Alzheimer's disease (AD).
• Virtual reality (VR) studies show navigation deficits in AD patients, but real-world predictive power is unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess spatial navigation in AD patients using VR and real-world tests.
• To determine if VR navigation performance can predict real-world spatial disorientation in AD.

Main Methods:

• 16 AD patients and 21 controls completed VR tests (Virtual Supermarket Test, Sea Hero Quest) and a real-world test (Detour Navigation Test).
• Egocentric and allocentric navigation abilities were evaluated.

Main Results:

• AD patients showed significant navigation impairments across all tested environments (VR and real-world).
• VR wayfinding metrics (distance, duration) partially predicted real-world disorientation scores in AD patients.
• However, VR measures did not reliably identify individuals at high risk for real-world disorientation.

Conclusions:

• While AD patients exhibit spatial navigation deficits in both VR and real-world settings, current VR tests are insufficient for predicting real-world disorientation risk.
• Future research should develop more predictive VR-based tools for AD spatial disorientation.