Using Virtual Reality for Assessment and Rehabilitation of AD and MCI Patients

Abstract

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a primary cause of dementia in the ageing population affecting more than 35 million people around the globe. Acquisition of information in everyday life requires memorization in complex three-dimensional environments. Emerging ICT (information and computer technology) applications based on virtual reality (VR) environments can lead to a behavior modification as they provide a photorealistic virtual environment (VE). This chapter provides a selective overview of the empirical evidence available along last five years on the use of virtual reality (VR) to promote everyday life skills and cognitive impairment mitigation of AD patients. Virtual reality allows us to identify and treat deficits in memory that are relevant to everyday life yet not detectable with list learning. Articles related to virtual reality have been divided in two categories according to their use: whether for assessment and diagnostic or rehabilitative purposes. Clinical implications were critically discussed. Suggestions for future research and practice will also be provided.