A virtual reality cognitive screening tool based on the six cognitive domains

Introduction: Early detection of cognitive impairment enables interventions to slow cognitive decline. Existing neuropsychological paper-and-pencil tests may not adequately assess cognition in real-life environments. A fully-immersive and automated virtual reality (VR) system-Cognitive Assessment using VIrtual REality (CAVIRE)-was developed to assess all six cognitive domains. This case-control study aims to evaluate the ability of CAVIRE to differentiate cognitively-healthy individuals from those with cognitive impairment.

Methods: One hundred nine Asian individuals 65-84 years of age were recruited at a primary care setting in Singapore. Based on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), participants were grouped as either Cognitively Healthy (MoCA ≥26, n = 60) or Cognitively Impaired (MoCA <26, n = 49). Subsequently, all participants completed the CAVIRE assessment.

Results: Cognitively-healthy participants achieved higher VR scores and required shorter completion time across all six cognitive domains (all p's < 0.005). Receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis showed area under the curve of 0.7267.

Discussion: The results demonstrated the potential of CAVIRE as a cognitive screening tool in primary care.

Highlights: CAVIRE is a virtual reality (VR) system that assesses the six cognitive domains.CAVIRE can distinguish healthy individuals from individuals with cognitive impairment.It has potential as a cognitive screening tool for older people in primary care.