Objectifying subjective memory complaints: VR-based Verbal Word Learning Test in chronic stroke patients

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Rehabilitation Medicine
• Cognitive Psychology

Background:

• Memory impairment is a significant challenge for stroke patients, manifesting as Objective Memory Problems (OMPs) and Subjective Memory Complaints (SMCs).
• The discrepancy between OMPs and SMCs may be reduced by using ecologically valid memory assessments and accounting for stroke-related symptoms like fatigue and sensory hypersensitivity (SHS).

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of a sensory-rich Virtual Reality (VR) environment on memory performance in chronic stroke patients.
• To explore the relationship between Subjective Memory Complaints (SMCs), Objective Memory Problems (OMPs), fatigue, and sensory hypersensitivity (SHS) in stroke survivors compared to healthy controls.

Main Methods:

• Applied VR to create a sensory-rich environment for memory testing using the 15-Verbal Word Learning Test (VLT).
• Assessed SMCs (Everyday Memory Questionnaire), SHS (Multi-Modal Evaluation of Sensory Sensitivity), and fatigue.
• Compared memory performance, SMCs, SHS, and fatigue levels between 31 chronic stroke patients and 32 healthy controls.

Main Results:

• Memory performance decreased in a sensory-rich VR environment compared to a neutral one, with no significant group differences.
• Fatigue and SHS were correlated with SMCs in stroke patients, but not in healthy controls.
• A significant negative correlation was found between SMCs and memory performance in a sensory-rich VR environment for stroke patients.

Conclusions:

• Fatigue and SHS are linked to SMCs in stroke patients, suggesting their role in subjective memory experiences.
• A sensory-rich VR environment may provide a more ecologically valid method for assessing SMCs in stroke survivors.
• Further research is needed due to limitations including the absence of sex and age-matched controls and potential selection bias.