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Using Virtual Reality to Assess Spatial Navigation Ability in Individuals With Mild Cognitive Impairment and Older
Ming-Chyi Pai1,2,3, Yuh-Ting Lin3, Chung-Yao Hsiao1
1Division of Behavioral Neurology, Department of Neurology, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, 138 Sheng-Li Road, North District, Tainan, 70428, Taiwan, 886 62353535 ext 5534, 886 62088036.
JMIR Aging
|December 4, 2025
Summary
Virtual reality (VR) effectively detects spatial navigation deficits in individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), correlating with real-world navigation abilities and aiding Alzheimer's disease (AD) diagnosis.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Gerontology
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Spatial navigation impairment is an early clinical sign of Alzheimer's disease (AD).
- Traditional navigation tests lack real-world validity and are subject to external variables.
- Virtual reality (VR) offers a controlled environment for assessing spatial navigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the feasibility of a VR setting for assessing spatial orientation in individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI).
- To determine VR's capability in differentiating between cognitive statuses (cognitively unimpaired, subjective cognitive decline, MCI).
Main Methods:
- Utilized the Pai-Jan virtual reality (PJVR) device, a VR adaptation of a validated tool.
- Participants (cognitively unimpaired, SCD, MCI) navigated a 660m path using joysticks in a VR environment.
- Measured linear deviation (LD) and vector deviation to quantify navigation accuracy.
Main Results:
- The PJVR device demonstrated feasibility in older adults and those with MCI.
- MCI participants exhibited significantly greater linear deviation (100.4m) and vector deviation (63.2°) compared to SCD and cognitively unimpaired groups.
- 17.7% of participants experienced cybersickness, leading to trial incompletion.
Conclusions:
- The PJVR system is a feasible tool for assessing spatial navigation in older adults and individuals with MCI.
- VR-based assessment can identify navigation deficits associated with AD pathology.
- PJVR results showed strong correlation with real-world navigation ability, indicating ecological validity.
