Virtual reality in the assessment of selected cognitive function after brain injury

Ling Zhang, Beatriz C. Abreu, Brent Masel, Randall S. Scheibel, Charles H. Christiansen, Neil Huddleston, Kenneth J. Ottenbacher

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

71 Scopus citations

Abstract

Objective: To assess selected cognitive functions of persons with traumatic brain injury using a computer-simulated virtual reality environment. Study Design: A computer-simulated virtual kitchen was used to assess the ability of 30 patients with brain injury and 30 volunteers without brain injury to process and sequence information. The overall assessment score was based on the number of correct responses and the time needed to complete daily living tasks. Identical daily living tasks were tested and scored in participants with and without brain injury. Each subject was evaluated twice within 7 to 10 days. A total of 30 tasks were categorized as follows: information processing, problem solving, logical sequencing, and speed of responding. Results: Persons with brain injuries consistently demonstrated a significant decrease in the ability to process information (P = 0.04-0.01), identify logical sequencing (P = 0.04-0.01), and complete the overall assessment (P < 0.01), compared with volunteers without brain injury. The time needed to process tasks, representing speed of cognitive responding, was also significantly different between the two groups (P < 0.01). Conclusion: A computer-generated virtual reality environment represents a reproducible tool to assess selected cognitive functions and can be used as a supplement to traditional rehabilitation assessment in persons with acquired brain injury.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)597-604
Number of pages8
JournalAmerican Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Volume80
Issue number8
DOIs
StatePublished - 2001

Keywords

  • Assessment
  • Cognitive Function
  • Traumatic Brain Injury
  • Virtual Reality

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Physical Therapy, Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation
  • Rehabilitation

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