Virtual Reality in Dementia Diseases

Abstract As age progresses, people are exposed to more diseases, one of the most important diseases is dementia. Dementia’s is a difficult disease to diagnose. Most medical diagnoses are based on the pen- paper cognitive test or high-cost medical devices such as Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). Accordingly, there is an increasing need for using computerized methods in the diagnosis of dementia’s disease to fully utilize the advantages provided by advanced technologies. Cognitive testing[1][2] is one of the most accurate tests when it comes to dementia’s detection. Nevertheless, there are many disadvantages related to it, including the measurement of the extent of the brain damage, the adaptability with the intelligence of the patient (IQ) and assessment that reflects real-world conditions and daily tasks[3]. Hence, it was advisable to explore the newer, more effective applications that adopting the cognitive methods with computerized methods. One of the methods is based on Virtual Environments which are given additional pros to cognitive test and allow patients to immerse in a controlled environment[4, 5]. This paper proposed a non-invasive, cognitive computerized test for diagnosis of dementia’s in earlier stages based on 3D virtual environments platform combined with Machine Learning Algorithms (MLA). This test evaluates three cognitive domains: visuospatial assessment, memory assessment, and executive function. A 3D system classifies patients into three classes: patients with sever cognitive impairment (dementia), patients with mild cognitive impairment, and patients with normal cognition using more than one machine learning algorithm to vote for a higher rating and gives reliable information, high accuracy in the diagnosis and classification of patients.