How immersive virtual reality methods may meet the criteria of the National Academy of Neuropsychology and American Academy of Clinical Neuropsychology: A software review of the Virtual Reality Everyday Assessment Lab (VR-EAL)

• Published in: Computers in human behavior reports Vol. 4; pp. 100151 - 14
• Main Authors: Kourtesis, Panagiotis, MacPherson, Sarah E.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01-08-2021; Elsevier
• Subjects: Cognitive science; Computer Science; Ethical standards; Human-Computer Interaction; Methodology; Neuropsychological assessment; Neuroscience; Psychology; Safety; Usability; Virtual reality; Ethical standards; Safety; Methodology; Neuropsychological assessment; Usability; Virtual reality
• ISSN: 2451-9588; 2451-9588
• DOI: 10.1016/j.chbr.2021.100151

Clinical tools involving immersive virtual reality (VR) may bring several advantages to cognitive neuroscience and neuropsychology. However, there are some technical and methodological pitfalls. The American Academy of Clinical Neuropsychology (AACN) and the National Academy of Neuropsychology (NAN) raised 8 key issues pertaining to Computerized Neuropsychological Assessment Devices. These issues pertain to: (1) the safety and effectivity; (2) the identity of the end-user; (3) the technical hardware and software features; (4) privacy and data security; (5) the psychometric properties; (6) examinee issues; (7) the use of reporting services; and (8) the reliability of the responses and results. The VR Everyday Assessment Lab (VR-EAL) is the first immersive VR neuropsychological battery with enhanced ecological validity for the assessment of everyday cognitive functions by offering a pleasant testing experience without inducing cybersickness. The VR-EAL meets the criteria of the NAN and AACN, addresses the methodological pitfalls, and brings advantages for neuropsychological testing. However, there are still shortcomings of the VR-EAL, which should be addressed. Future iterations should strive to improve the embodiment illusion in VR-EAL and the creation of an open access VR software library should be attempted. The discussed studies demonstrate the utility of VR methods in cognitive neuroscience and neuropsychology.
•The advantages of immersive virtual reality (VR) methods in cognitive neuroscience and neuropsychology.•Questionnaire for evaluating VR software quality and cybersickness' symptoms intensity.•The criteria of the American Academy of Clinical Neuropsychology (AACN) and the National Academy of Neuropsychology (NAN).•The VR-EAL is the first VR neuropsychological battery of everyday cognitive functions with enhanced ecological validity.•The VR-EAL offers a pleasant testing experience without inducing cybersickness and meets the criteria of the NAN and AACN.