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Subjective spatial orientation discomfort is associated with decreased real-world spatial performance and lower
Johannes Gerb1, Vivien Oertle1, Sandra Becker-Bense1
1German Center for Vertigo and Balance Disorders, LMU University Hospital, Munich, Germany.
Frontiers in Neuroscience
|November 28, 2024
Summary
Spatial discomfort, not spatial skills, correlates with cognitive impairment and objective spatial task performance in individuals without vestibular deficits. Early assessment of spatial discomfort may aid in diagnosing cognitive decline.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Psychology
- Gerontology
Background:
- Spatial memory and orientation deficits are early indicators of cognitive impairment, such as Alzheimer's disease.
- Early diagnosis of spatial impairment is crucial for timely therapeutic intervention.
- Vestibular hypofunction is often overlooked as a confounding factor in spatial assessment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the correlation between self-assessed spatial questionnaires and objective measures of spatial orientation in individuals with normal vestibular function.
- To determine if subjective spatial discomfort or spatial skills better predict objective spatial performance and cognitive status.
- To explore the relationship between spatial discomfort, cognitive deficits, and spatial encoding strategies.
Main Methods:
- 135 participants (mean age 62.75 years) with and without cognitive deficits (MoCA screening) were assessed.
- Utilized the Extended Inventory for Spatial Orientation Discomfort (EISOD) and Santa Barbara Sense of Direction Scale (SBSODS).
- Objective assessment included a 3D real-world pointing task (3D-RWPT) before and after body rotations, with vestibular function confirmed as normal.
Main Results:
- Subjective spatial discomfort (EISOD) correlated with spatial impairment in the 3D-RWPT for both cognitive groups.
- Cognitively impaired individuals reported higher spatial discomfort and showed greater angular deviations in the 3D-RWPT, preferring egocentric strategies.
- Self-reported spatial skills (SBSODS) did not differ significantly between groups and showed no reliable association with objective pointing accuracy.
Conclusions:
- Subjective spatial discomfort (EISOD) is a reliable indicator of spatial impairment and correlates with cognitive status in individuals without vestibular deficits.
- EISOD demonstrated stronger correlations with objective spatial performance than the SBSODS.
- Combining subjective spatial discomfort, spatial abilities, and objective measures is recommended for assessing spatial abilities in individuals with suspected cognitive impairment.
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