Enhancing female older adults’ spatial visualisation ability via a virtual pattern-making module

ABSTRACT This study examines how virtual pattern-making training enhances older adults’ spatial visualisation ability, depending on their ethnic background. Following receipt of IRB approval, a total of 600 female older adults were recruited to the study. To assess participants’ current spatial visualisation ability, a letter rotation test was employed both pre-test and post-test. A virtual pattern-making training video was developed using a virtual prototyping programme, Browzwear VStitcher. The training video explained the basic concept of virtual pattern-making with examples, and participants were then asked to watch the video between pre-test and post-test. The results of the two tests were compared using a paired sample t-test. The results found that, of the four ethnic groups, African American showed a significant improvement in letter rotation scores after the training. The findings of this study will contribute to the knowledge and understanding of virtual pattern-making in relation to older adults’ cognitive skills.