Assessment of Post-Stroke Cognitive Dysfunction Using 3-Dimensional Virtual Reality Program

Objective: To test the feasibility of newly developed 3-dimensional virtual reality (VR) program for assessing the post-stroke cognitive dysfunction. Method: Thirty five post-stroke patients and twenty normal healthy subjects were recruited in this study, and post-stroke patients were classified into three groups according to the severity of cognitive dysfunction. We developed three dimensional virtual reality program to assess the cognitive function with virtual subway environment from taking a subway to arriving at one's destination. The total score, number of success and cue were obtained during completing virtual tasks. We investigated the test-retest reliability, and the parameters of the 3-dimensional VR program were compared with Korean Mini-mental status examination. Results: All parameters of the VR program were significantly correlated with MMSE score (p<0.01), and showed the significant difference between patient subgroups and control group (p<0.05). The test-retest reliability of the VR program was significantly high (p<0.01). Conclusion: Three dimensional virtual reality program may be helpful to assess the cognitive function in patients with stroke.