Article

This proof of concept study tested the ability of a dual task walking
protocol using a recently developed avatar-based virtual reality (VR) platform to
detect differences between military personnel post mild traumatic brain injury
(mTBI) and healthy controls. METHODS: The VR platform coordinated motion capture,
an interaction and rendering system, and a projection system to present first
(participant-controlled) and third person avatars within the context of a specific military patrol scene.
A divided attention task was also added.
A healthy control group was compared to a group with previous mTBI (both groups
comprised of six military personnel) and a repeated measures ANOVA tested for
differences between conditions and groups based on recognition errors, walking
speed and fluidity and obstacle clearance. RESULTS: The VR platform was well
tolerated by both groups. Walking fluidity was degraded for the control group
within the more complex navigational dual tasking involving avatars, and appeared
greatest in the dual tasking with the interacting avatar. This navigational
behaviour was not seen in the mTBI group. CONCLUSIONS: The present findings show
proof of concept for using avatars, particularly more interactive avatars, to
expose differences in executive functioning when applying context-specific
protocols (here for the military). Implications for rehabilitation Virtual
reality provides a means to control context-specific factors for assessment and
intervention. Adding human interaction and agency through avatars increases the
ecologic nature of the virtual environment. Avatars in the present application of
the Virtual Reality avatar interaction platform appear to provide a better
ability to reveal differences between trained, military personal with and without mTBI.

Langue : ANGLAIS