Application of VR-based Working Memory Screening Test

NCT04600726 | Unknown

• 1 other identifier: VR_Clinical Trial
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 160
• Locations: 0 countries
• Sites: N/A

Brief Summary

We propose to validate an interactive, immersive spatial memory test from the laboratory test. This VR-based working memory test (VRWMT) is a first-person, self-pacing game embedded within a virtual reality environment, the program is easily implemented with minimal instructions and no supervision that can be community-users friendly. It is specifically designed to assess rapid spatial working memory - a common deficit in all NCD subtypes. Its ability to detect pathological models of dementia, age-related deterioration, and hippocampal dysfunction are well established in literature

Conditions

Older Adults With Mild Neurocognitive Disorders; Older Adults With Non-communicable Diseases; Healthy Age-matched Older Adults

Keywords

Cognitive function screening

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (4)

• Delayed matching-to-place (DMP)

  a prototypical working memory test implemented in a virtual reality environment of the VRWMT

  20 mins

• The Montreal Cognitive Assessment - Hong Kong Version

  The MoCA-HK is an examiner-rated cognitive screening test that evaluates visuospatial functions, naming, attention and working memory, language, abstraction, and orientation, commonly affected in NCD including Alzheimer's disease, stroke, and vascular dementia. It is a validated tool for detecting cognitive impairment in Chinese Hong Kong population at early stages. It is a common tool in practical practice that can be under 15 minutes. MoCA scores range from 0 to 30. Subjects with a score of above 21 will be classified as "healthy controls", while 21 or below will be included in the mild NCD group in the present study.

  15 mins

• The Chinese Multiple Errands Test

  A functional performance measure of executive function that identifies abnormalities known for its ecological validity through assessment of real-world daily living activities. The proposed study will evaluate the ability of working memory (as a component to executive function) from VRWMT to predict executive functions (globally) across the six scores obtained from the Chinese Multiple Errands Test

  20 mins

• Biological biomarkers for older adults with NCDs and Healthy Control

  The panel of biomarkers covers five immune cytokines and two metabolic markers (including serum IL-1B,Interleukin 6, Interleukin 10, Interleukin 33, Tumor Necrosis Factor alpha, Leptin and Glycosylated haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c)

  5 mins

Study Arms (3)

older adults with known mild NCD

Older adults with known mild neuro-cognitive disorders

Other: no intervention

older adults with non-communicable diseases

older adults with non-communicable diseases such as diabetics, hypertension and chronic obstructive airway diseases

Other: no intervention

Older adults with healthy condition

Older adults who are free from neuro-cognitive disorders and non-communicable diseases

Other: no intervention

Interventions

no intervention OTHER

no interventioni

Older adults with healthy condition; older adults with known mild NCD; older adults with non-communicable diseases

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 65 Years - 80 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Older Adult (65+)
• Sampling Method: Probability Sample

Study Population

Older adults who are community dwelling

You may qualify if:

• the ability to understand verbal and written Chinese instructions
• the ability and willingness to provide informed consent and sign the relevant document.

You may not qualify if:

• a history of substance abuse including alcohol, drugs, or any medication/substances indicative of chronic abuse;
• participants with major NCD.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• The Hong Kong Polytechnic University: lead
• Department of Neuroscience, Psychology and Behavior. The University of Leicester: collaborator
• School of Psychology, The University of Nottingham: collaborator
• The Alice Ho Miu Ning Nethersole Hospital: collaborator

Related Publications (4)

• Daugherty AM, Raz N. A virtual water maze revisited: Two-year changes in navigation performance and their neural correlates in healthy adults. Neuroimage. 2017 Feb 1;146:492-506. doi: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2016.09.044. Epub 2016 Sep 19.

  PMID: 27659539 BACKGROUND

• Daugherty AM, Bender AR, Yuan P, Raz N. Changes in Search Path Complexity and Length During Learning of a Virtual Water Maze: Age Differences and Differential Associations with Hippocampal Subfield Volumes. Cereb Cortex. 2016 Jun;26(6):2391-401. doi: 10.1093/cercor/bhv061. Epub 2015 Apr 1.

  PMID: 25838036 BACKGROUND

• Folley BS, Astur R, Jagannathan K, Calhoun VD, Pearlson GD. Anomalous neural circuit function in schizophrenia during a virtual Morris water task. Neuroimage. 2010 Feb 15;49(4):3373-84. doi: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2009.11.034. Epub 2009 Dec 4.

  PMID: 19948225 BACKGROUND

• Daugherty AM, Yuan P, Dahle CL, Bender AR, Yang Y, Raz N. Path Complexity in Virtual Water Maze Navigation: Differential Associations with Age, Sex, and Regional Brain Volume. Cereb Cortex. 2015 Sep;25(9):3122-31. doi: 10.1093/cercor/bhu107. Epub 2014 May 23.

  PMID: 24860019 RESULT

Biospecimen

Retention: SAMPLES WITHOUT DNA

The panel of biomarkers covers five immune cytokines and two metabolic markers (including serum IL-1B,Interleukin 6, Interleukin 10, Interleukin 33, Tumor Necrosis Factor alpha, Leptin and Glycosylated haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c)

Central Study Contacts

Frank HY Lai, Phd

CONTACT

91448014; frank.hy.lai@polyu.edu.hk

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: COHORT
• Time Perspective: PROSPECTIVE
• Target Duration: 12 Months
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Assistant Professor

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: October 19, 2020
• First Posted: October 23, 2020
• Study Start: February 1, 2021
• Primary Completion: December 30, 2022
• Study Completion: December 31, 2022
• Last Updated: October 23, 2020

Record last verified: 2020-10

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share