Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40666434›Full record

ArticleFrontiers in psychiatry2025

Cognition in virtual reality: assessing user acceptability and feasibility of virtual reality cognitive screening for older adults.

Frank Ho-Yin Lai, Benjamin K Yee, Eileen H J Wang, Joe Butler, Andrew Graham, Eddie Yip-Kuen Hai, Cath Darling, Stephanie Whittington, Julie-Anne Lowe

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Frontiers in psychiatry, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors.

Frank Ho-Yin LaiDepartment of Social Work, Education and Community Wellbeing, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle, United Kingdom.
Benjamin K YeeMental Health Research Centre, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
Eileen H J WangDepartment of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
Joe ButlerSchool of Psychology, University of Sunderland, Sunderland, United Kingdom.
Andrew GrahamSchool of Health & Life Sciences, Teesside University, Middlesbrough, United Kingdom.
Eddie Yip-Kuen HaiFaculty of Health Sciences and Wellbeing, University of Sunderland, Sunderland, United Kingdom.
Cath DarlingDepartment of Social Work, Education and Community Wellbeing, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle, United Kingdom.
Stephanie WhittingtonDepartment of Social Work, Education and Community Wellbeing, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle, United Kingdom.
Julie-Anne LoweDepartment of Social Work, Education and Community Wellbeing, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle, United Kingdom.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Introduction: The global demographic shift towards an older population necessitates innovative methods to assess cognitive abilities, particularly spatial working memory, which is crucial for daily living and early detection of neurocognitive conditions like Alzheimer's disease. Methods: This qualitative study utilised the Virtual Reality Working Memory Task (VRWMT), a semi-immersive VR activity using keyboard navigation, to assess spatial working memory in older adults. Participants were recruited from community centres and categorised by age and technological familiarity. Focus groups evaluated user perceptions based on the Technology Acceptance Model constructs: Perceived Usefulness, Perceived Ease of Use, Attitude Toward Usage, and Behavioural Intention to Use. The study aimed to assess the acceptability and feasibility of VRWMT across diverse populations, examining its navigational simplicity, emotional engagement, and willingness to endorse VRWMT for routine cognitive assessments. Results: Findings indicated significant variations in perceived usefulness, ease of use, attitude toward using, and behavioural intention to use across different age groups and socio-demographic characteristics. High-technology-familiarity participants found VRWMT easy to use and engaging, while those with low familiarity struggled with navigation and engagement. Socio-demographic factors such as limited digital literacy and lack of standby support impact technology adoption. Higher technological familiarity leads to better acceptance and feasibility of VRWMT. Discussion: VRWMT can enhance cognitive health monitoring and therapeutic interventions. The results highlighted that personalised pathways and user-friendly interfaces can improve accessibility and engagement, making VRWMT a valuable tool for cognitive assessments, as part of Occupational Therapy, in diverse populations.

Indexed as

feasibility and acceptancegamified assessmentspatial-working memorytechnology acceptance modelvirtual reality

Identifiers

PMID40666434
PMCPMC12261108

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.