Virtual reality technology in neuropsychological testing: A systematic review

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Cognitive Psychology
• Human-Computer Interaction

Background:

• Traditional neuropsychological tests (paper-and-pencil, computerized) face limitations in ecological validity, questioning their relevance to real-world cognitive functioning.
• Virtual Reality (VR) technology presents an innovative solution by simulating realistic environments for controlled cognitive assessments.
• This review examines the evolution and application of VR in neuropsychological testing.

Approach:

• A PRISMA-guided systematic review was conducted to analyze studies implementing VR for neuropsychological assessments.
• The review categorized VR tools based on the cognitive functions they measure.
• The study evaluated the current state of VR neuropsychological instruments, including their psychometric properties and standardization.

Key Points:

• VR enhances ecological validity in neuropsychological testing by bridging laboratory assessments with everyday cognitive demands.
• The systematic review identified a growing number of VR applications across various cognitive domains like memory and attention.
• A significant gap exists between research-stage VR tools and clinically validated instruments.

Conclusions:

• While VR holds substantial potential for advanced cognitive assessment, only a few tools currently meet clinical readiness standards.
• Further research is needed to standardize VR neuropsychological tests on larger cohorts and establish robust psychometric properties.
• Technological advancements will likely drive future developments in VR-based neuropsychological assessment tools.