Disorientation, Mild Cognitive Impairment, Mild Dementia, Older Adults, Young Adults
Conditions
Brief summary
The aim of the study is to investigate whether the effect of disorientation on physical motion and gait among dementia patients, can be reliably measured in a laboratory environment, by means of a virtual reality (VR) experimental setup.
Detailed description
Challenges in wayfinding and orientation are early symptoms of MCI and dementia. These deficits decrease mobility which again leads to further cognitive decline. In a field study, we developed a pattern recognition model of disorientated behaviour based on accelerometric data. However, it is questionable if phases of disorientation also affect gait parameters. Furthermore, there is growing evidence that impaired cognitive functioning is associated with changes in gait performance, e.g. gait variability, measured in dual-task walking conditions. Increases in heart rate and skin conductance have also been reported during instances of disorientation. Hence, We implemented a 3D environment of a familiar city centre in the GRAIL, which combines a fully instrumented treadmill with a synchronized VR environment. We record gait parameters through the motion capture system, and accelerometric and physiological data using wearable sensors (movisens), for comparability with the SiNDeM field study. Young and old healthy adults will participate in the first phase of the study, while Mild dementia or MCI patients will participate in the later phases. Phases of disorientation will be induced by changing the virtual environment.We aim to assess gait, accelerometric and physiological parameters during instances of disorientation, using the GRAIL (Gait Real-Time Analysis Interactive Lab, Motekforce Link). The results will further enable the automatic detection of disorientation based on gait parameters, physiological and accelerometric data. This is necessary for the development of a situation-aware assistive system which supports persons with dementia in autonomous outdoor mobility.
Interventions
None listed
Sponsors
University of Rostock
German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE)
University Medical Center Rostock
Study design
Observational model
COHORT
Time perspective
PROSPECTIVE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 85 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* Within the required age bracket * Mobile * Dementia
Exclusion criteria
* Other neurological conditions besides dementia * Inability to understand task instructions, deaf-mute, blindness
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Spatial disorientation | Up to 3 years from start of the study | Incidences of disorientation will be captured in a video record during the experiment, and then later identified in an off-line annotation procedure using a customized annotation scheme |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Spatial orientation ability | Up to 3 years from start of the study | Older adult participants' spatial orientation ability will be evaluated using the Perspective taking spatial orientation test (PTSOT). No predefined range. Lower scores indicate better spatial orientation ability. Formula: sum of true angles - sum of expressed angles |
| Heart rate variability | Up to 3 years from start of the study | Rate of change in heart rate will be measured using a wearable electrocardiographic sensor |
| Skin conductance | Up to 3 years from start of the study | Rate of change in electrodermal response will be measured using a wearable electrodermal activity sensor |
| Accelerometery | Up to 3 years from start of the study | Incidences of change in walking pattern will be measured using accelerometers |
| Gait variability | Up to 3 years from start of the study | Incidences of change in gait pattern will be measured using the gait capturing system of the GRAIL (gait real-time analysis interactive lab) |
| Visuospatial function | Up to 3 years from start of the study | Older adult participants' visual constructive ability will be evaluated using the figure copy part of the Rey-Osterrieth complex figure test (ROCF). Higher scores indicate better visual constructive ability. Range 0-31 |
| Memory function | Up to 3 years from start of the study | Older adult participants' spatial memory will be evaluated using the figure recall part of the Rey-Osterrieth complex figure test (ROCF). Higher scores indicate better memory. Range 0-31 |
| Executive function | Up to 3 years from start of the study | Older adult participants' executive function will be evaluated using the Trail making test (TMT A/B). Lower scores indicate better executive function. No predefined range |
| Apolipoprotein E4 status | Up to 3 years from start of the study | Presence of the variants Apo-E2, E3 and -E4 in the blood samples |
Countries
Germany
Contacts
Primary ContactChimezie O. Amaefule, M.Sc
Outcome results
None listed