Development of Mixed Reality-Based Walking and Attention Dual-Task Assessment for the Elderly

In this study, the relationship between the tool and the assessment of attention and motor function was examined in healthy elderly subjects. The use of MR technology makes it possible to realize an actual walking environment while changing the difficulty level by changing the parameter settings of virtual objects in the space. The purpose of this study is to realize a fall risk prediction evaluation that enables factor analysis classified by motor function and attentional function.

 In this study, Hololens2 was used as the device for MR technology. Eighteen healthy elderly subjects (78.6±4.8 years old) were asked to cooperate as test subjects after explaining the purpose of the study. The tool used the application 'RehaMaru®' from Techlico Inc. The task of this tool is to wear MR head-mounted display, find a target of numbers or hiragana presented in a virtual space of a few meters square, and move as quickly as possible in a predetermined order. The patterns of the targets when they were reached were varied, and the elapsed time under each condition was compared and analyzed. The Trail Making Test (TMT)-J Part A and B, Timed Up & Go Test (TUG), and Clinical Assessment for Attention-Revised(CAT-R) were also used as other assessment items, and their relevance to MR tool was examined.

There was a moderate correlation between the elapsed time of this tool and TMT-J Part A (r=0.40) and a strong correlation with TMT-J Part B (r=0.79). There was also a strong correlation with the time required for the Visual Cancellation Task on the CAT-R (r=0.86) and a moderate negative correlation with the percentage of correct responses on the Memory Updating Test (r=-0.67).

The correlation between the elapsed time of this tool and the Visual Cancellation Task in the CAT-R suggests that it is related to attentional function, especially visual selectivity, and the correlation with the percentage of correct responses in the Memory Updating Test suggests that it is related to working memory. This could be an evaluation tool that reflects the decline in attentional function during the exploration process while walking.

MR technology is further expected to find factors that affect dual-task performance. It is conceivable that this MR tool could be utilized as a tool for evaluating dual tasks during walking, and could also establish fall risk assessment.