Work

A virtual reality take on the Corsi-Block Tapping Task: Exploring VR for spatial working memory assessment

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Numerous VR based cognitive tests have been created in the past years, yet many of them utilize newly developed software, setting back generalizability between classical, real life cognitive tests and VR based tests. To overcome this gap, implementing classical cognitive tests identically into VR might be a solution as it helps observing VR induced effects directly. We created an identical replica of the classical Corsi Block-Tapping Task in VR (called VR Corsi) and compared participants' performance and heart rate between the real Corsi and the VR Corsi; as well examining the effects of cybersickness, previous VR experience, subjective enjoyment and immersion. Across two experiments, we tested 110 participants. Experiment 1 concluded real life and VR based performance scores are similar but not fully identical. They can both be used for group level measurement but not for individual level. Heart rate increase is likely due to task related cognitive overload not the VR device. Experiment 2 concluded that age, cybersickness and emotions play partial roles in the differences, but a full model is yet to be obtained. More implementations of classical cognitive tests into VR are needed to directly test the altering effects of the VR device and environment excluding the task related differences. Especially the relationship between emotions, HR and cybersickness needs to be further addressed. • Classical and VR based cognitive tests tend to greatly differ limiting generalizability • Implementing classical cognitive tests to VR environments might help fill in the gap • Classical and VR tests yield similar group results but differ at the individual level. • Differences between classical and VR tests should consider cybersickness, emotional changes, and age

Source: Acta Psychologica

DOI: 10.1016/j.actpsy.2025.105918

Authors: Soma Zsebi, Cecilia Sik-Lanyi, Patrícia Szabó, Patrik Filotás, János András Zsuffa, Renáta Cserjési

Institutions: Eötvös Loránd University, University of Pannonia, Hungarian Research Network, Semmelweis University

Language: English

Topic: Virtual Reality Applications and Impacts

Subfield: Human-Computer Interaction

Field: Computer Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,670