An Ensemble Learning Algorithm for Cognitive Evaluation by an Immersive Virtual Reality Supermarket

Early screening for Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) is crucial in delaying cognitive deterioration and treating dementia. Conventional neuropsychological tests, commonly used for MCI detection, often lack ecological validity due to their simplistic and quiet testing environments. To address this gap, our study developed an immersive VR supermarket cognitive assessment program (IVRSCAP), simulating daily cognitive activities to enhance the ecological validity of MCI detection. This program involved elderly participants from Chengdu Second People’s Hospital and various communities, comprising both MCI patients (N=301) and healthy elderly individuals (N=1027). They engaged in the VR supermarket cognitive test, generating complex datasets including User Behavior Data, Tested Cognitive Dimension Game Data, Trajectory Data, and Regional Data. To analyze this data, we introduced an adaptive ensemble learning method for imbalanced samples. Our study’s primary contribution is demonstrating the superior performance of this algorithm in classifying MCI and healthy groups based on their performance in IVRSCAP. Comparative analysis confirmed its efficacy over traditional imbalanced sample processing methods and classic ensemble learning voting algorithms, significantly outperforming in metrics such as recall, F1-score, AUC, and G-mean. Our findings advocate the combined use of IVRSCAP and our algorithm as a technologically advanced, ecologically valid approach for enhancing early MCI detection strategies. This aligns with our broader aim of integrating realistic simulations with advanced computational techniques to improve diagnostic accuracy and treatment efficacy in cognitive health assessments.