Script

Virtual Grocery Store: Overview

• Objective: Assess ecological spatial behavior using Virtual Reality (VR).

• VR allows controlled study of naturalistic behaviors, bridging real-world cognition and experimental precision.

Key Issues Addressed

• Traditional VR restricts natural movement which limits engagement of sensory systems.

• Lab-based cognitive assessments lack ecological validity, affecting generalizability.

• Cross-sectional comparisons between groups (e.g., young and older adults) can be confounded.

VR Grocery Store Task

• Custom immersive environment replicating grocery shopping experience.

• Developed using Unity with HTC Vive Pro for untethered locomotion.

• Allows for continuous tracking and objective measurement of spatial behavior.

Measurement Techniques

• Path Efficiency: Measure comparative navigation strategies; efficiency varies with familiarity.

• Ambulatory Behavior Categories: Defined by locomotion and scanning; captures movement patterns.

• Walking Speed: Expected to vary with environmental familiarity; faster in familiar environments.

Task Procedures

• Day 1: Participants repeatedly shop and restock items to enhance familiarity.

• Day 2: Test in familiar vs. novel store environments to study spatial memory adaptation.

Pilot Data Insights

• Small sample data indicates older adults recall fewer items but may benefit from familiar environments.

• Path efficiency is comparable across age groups.

• Preliminary findings support the feasibility of the VR Grocery Store Task for assessing spatial behavior.

Future Directions

• Investigate memory trajectory during learning cycles.

• Scale study to include diverse samples, especially those at risk of dementia.

• Integrate wearable sensors and eye tracking for enhanced data on spatial behavior.