Everyday‐like memory for objects in ageing and Alzheimer's disease assessed in a visually complex environment: The role of executive functioning and episodic memory

Abstract

To investigate everyday memory, more and more studies rely on virtual-reality applications to bridge the gap between in situ approaches and laboratory settings. In this vein, the present study was designed to assess everyday-like memory from the virtual reality-based Human Object Memory for Everyday Scenes (HOMES) test (Sauzéon et al., , Exp. Psychol., 59, 99) in ageing and in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Two aims motivated this study: the first was to assess multiple processes of episodic memory (EM) functioning embedded within contexts closely related to real life in ageing and AD using the multi-trial free-recall paradigm, and the second aim was to evaluate the mediating effects of executive functioning (EF), EM, and subjective memory complaints (SMCs) on age differences in the HOMES measures and in AD. To this end, the HOMES test and neurocognitive tests of EF and EM were administered to 23 younger adults, 23 older adults, and 16 patients with AD. The results were: firstly, compared to young adults, elderly adults presented only free-recall decline that almost disappeared in recognition condition whereas AD patients exhibited a poor clustering, learning, and recognition performance, and also a high amount of false recognition; secondly, age differences as well as AD related deficits on the HOMES test were mediated by both memory and EF measure while those observed on false memory indices were only mediated by EM measure; thirdly, the HOMES indices are related to SMCs even when episodic or EF measures are controlled. Overall, the results supported the fact that the VR-based memory test is an appropriate device to capture age-related differences as well as the AD effect with respect to both in situ and laboratory settings.

Use of immersive virtual reality to assess episodic memory: A validation study in older adults

“…Previous studies have found age-related differences on the free recall of spatiotemporal characteristics of a list of items encoded during a virtual car ride (e.g., where and when the items were seen during the car ride; Plancher et al, 2008) and on the free recall of items presented in a virtual apartment (Sauzéon et al, 2016). These results are broadly consistent with the literature, indicating that age is associated with a reduction of associative memory, defined as the capacity to bind pieces of information into a cohesive unit, and of episodic memory, defined as the memory for items encoded with their spatiotemporal context (Chalfonte, 1996;Johnson, 1996;Naveh-Benjamin, 1990.…”

The acceptability of TV-based game platforms as an instrument to support the cognitive evaluation of senior adults at home

“…With respect to the interaction device utilized, the TV set is only marginally present when compared to other devices like the personal computer or the mobile phone. However, the TV set is acknowledged as a device closer to senior adults and their daily activities (Sauzéon et al, 2016a; Sauzéon et al, 2016b). Other studies propose a tactile interface as the most adequate interaction mechanism for elder people (Fukui et al, 2015; Deguchi et al, 2013) due to their ease of use, which does not require fine-grained motricity, even for patients with cognitive limitations and motor dysfunction.…”

“…Specifically, proposals have been developed to use games to assess visuospatial ability (van der Ham et al, 2015; Serino et al, 2015), episodic memory (Sauzéon et al, 2016a; Sauzéon et al, 2016b; Arvind Pala et al, 2014; Sauzéon et al, 2012), prospective memory (Banville et al, 2010), attention (Delgado et al, 2016), executive functions (Aalbers et al, 2013; Renison et al, 2012) among other constructs (Manera et al, 2015; Siraly et al, 2015). Regarding the technological aspect (i.e., the type of device and user interfaces to support video game interaction) we can observe that the vast majority of the studies referenced are based on the use of a personal computer (PC).…”

“…Regarding the technological aspect (i.e., the type of device and user interfaces to support video game interaction) we can observe that the vast majority of the studies referenced are based on the use of a personal computer (PC). In most cases users access to a Web application, although some desktop applications are also proposed (Sauzéon et al, 2016a; Sauzéon et al, 2016b; Sauzéon et al, 2012; Koenig & Krch, 2012). Other studies incorporate mobile devices such as smartphones (Thompson et al, 2012; Tong & Chignell, 2014) and tablets (van der Ham et al, 2015; Serino et al, 2015; Delgado et al, 2016; Pazzi et al, 2014), which facilitate mobility and access to video games regardless of the location of participants.…”

The Technology Acceptance of a TV Platform for the Elderly Living Alone or in Public Nursing Homes

“…TV is a standard device with an extensive home penetration, and has impacts in practically all scopes of information, entertainment and education delivery [15,16]. Thus, TV plays a primary role in society [17].…”