Semi-Immersive Virtual Reality as a Tool to Improve Cognitive and Social Abilities in Preschool Children
Source abstract
Abstract
Virtual reality (VR) creates computer-generated virtual environments where users can experience and interact in a similar way as they would do in real life. VR systems are increasingly being used for rehabilitation goals, mainly with adults, but also with children, extending their application to the educational field. This report concerns a study of the impact of a semi-immersive VR system in a group of 25 children in a kindergarten context. The children were involved in several different games and activity types, specifically developed with the aim of learning specific skills and foster team collaboration. Their reactions and behaviors were recorded by their teachers and by trained psychologists through observation grids addressing task comprehension, participation and enjoyment, interaction and cooperation, conflict, strategic behaviors, and adult-directed questions concerning the activity, the device or general help requests. The grids were compiled at the initial, intermediate and final timepoint during each session. The results show that the activities are easy to understand, enjoyable, and stimulate strategic behaviors, interaction and cooperation, while they do not elicit the need for many explanations. These results are discussed within a neuroconstructivist educational framework and the suitability of semi-immersive, virtual-reality-based activities for cognitive empowerment and rehabilitation purposes is discussed.
Source: crossref · Quality: baseline
Research context
OpenAlex topics: Virtual Reality Applications and Impacts · Stroke Rehabilitation and Recovery · Augmented Reality Applications
SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.
Affiliations
Scientific Institute IRCCS E. Medea, Unit of Neuropsychology of Developmental Disorders, Bosisio Parini, 23842 Lecco, Italy
Scientific Institute IRCCS E. Medea, Bioengineering Lab, Bosisio Parini, 23842 Lecco, Italy
Funding
Ministero della Salute · Regione Lombardia
References (58)
Show source-provided references
1. The potential of virtual reality for rehabilitation
2. Rubin, P. (2018). Future Presence: How Virtual Reality Is Changing Human Connection, Intimacy, and the Limits of Ordinary Life, HarperCollins.
3. VREPAR projects: The use of virtual environments in psycho-neuro-physiological assessment and rehabilitation10.1089/cpb.1999.2.69 ↗
4. Laver, K.E., Lange, B., George, S., Deutsch, J.E., Saposnik, G., and Crotty, M. (2017). Virtual reality for stroke rehabilitation. Cochrane Database Syst. Rev.10.1002/14651858.CD008349.pub4 ↗
5. Cognitive rehabilitation in patients with traumatic brain injury: A narrative review on the emerging use of virtual reality10.1016/j.jocn.2018.12.020 ↗
6. Calabrò, R.S., and Naro, A. (2019). Understanding Social Cognition Using Virtual Reality: Are We still Nibbling around the Edges?. Brain Sci., 10.10.3390/brainsci10010017 ↗
7. After the «virtual reality» gold rush: The virtual worlds paradigm10.1016/0097-8493(93)90120-X ↗
8. Bevilacqua, R., Maranesi, E., Riccardi, G.R., Donna, D.V., Pelliccioni, P., Luzi, R., and Lattanzio, F. (2019). Non-Immersive Virtual Reality for Rehabilitation of the Older People: A Systematic Review into Efficacy and Effectiveness. J. Clin. Med., 8.10.3390/jcm8111882 ↗
9. Virtual reality: A survival guide for the social scientist10.1027/1864-1105.21.3.95 ↗
10. Immersive virtual environment technology as a methodological tool for social psychology10.1207/S15327965PLI1302_01 ↗
11. Sayma, M., Tuijt, R., Cooper, C., and Walters, K. (2019). Are We There Yet? Immersive Virtual Reality to Improve Cognitive Function in Dementia and Mild Cognitive Impairment. Gerontologist.10.1093/geront/gnz132 ↗
12. A framework for immersive virtual environments (FIVE): Speculations on the role of presence in virtual environments10.1162/pres.1997.6.6.603 ↗
13. Virtual reality in cognitive and motor rehabilitation: Facts, fiction and fallacies10.1080/17434440.2018.1425613 ↗
14. Montana, J.I., Tuena, C., Serino, S., Cipresso, P., and Riva, G. (2019). Neurorehabilitation of Spatial Memory Using Virtual Environments: A Systematic Review. J. Clin. Med., 8.10.3390/jcm8101516 ↗
15. Improving post-stroke cognitive and behavioral abnormalities by using virtual reality: A case report on a novel use of nirvana
16. Virtual reality in neuroscience research and therapy10.1038/nrn3122 ↗
17. Learning real-life cognitive abilities in a novel 360 degrees -virtual reality supermarket: A neuropsychological study of healthy participants and patients with epilepsy10.1186/1743-0003-10-42 ↗
18. Immersive virtual environment technology as a basic research tool in psychology10.3758/BF03200735 ↗
19. Feasibility of a walking virtual reality system for rehabilitation: Objective and subjective parameters10.1186/s12984-016-0174-1 ↗
20. Meade, M., Meade, J.G., Sauzéon, H., and Fernandes, M.A. (2019). Active Navigation in Virtual Environments Benefits Spatial Memory in Older Adults. Brain Sci., 9.10.3390/brainsci9030047 ↗
21. Are visual cues helpful for virtual spatial navigation and spatial memory in patients with mild cognitive impairment or Alzheimer’s disease?10.1037/neu0000435 ↗
22. Does body shadow improve the efficacy of virtual reality-based training with BTS NIRVANA? A pilot study10.1097/MD.0000000000008096 ↗
23. Slater, M. (2014). Grand challenges in virtual environments. Front. Robot. AI, 1.10.3389/frobt.2014.00003 ↗
24. Effects of virtual reality immersive training with computerized cognitive training on cognitive function and activities of daily living performance in patients with acute stage stroke: A preliminary randomized controlled trial10.1097/MD.0000000000014752 ↗
25. The Growing Use of Virtual Reality in Cognitive Rehabilitation: Fact, Fake or Vision? A Scoping Review
26. Lucas, B.R., Elliott, E., Coggan, S., Pinto, R., Jirikowic, T., McCoy, S.W., and Latimer, J. (2016). Interventions to improve gross motor performance in children with neurodevelopmental disorders: A meta-analysis. BMC Pediatr., 16.10.1186/s12887-016-0731-6 ↗
27. Effectiveness of virtual reality rehabilitation for children and adolescents with cerebral palsy: An updated evidence-based systematic review10.1016/j.physio.2016.08.004 ↗
28. Virtual Reality Enhances Gait in Cerebral Palsy: A Training Dose-Response Meta-Analysis10.3389/fneur.2019.00236 ↗
29. Mesa-Gresa, P., Gil-Gomez, H., Lozano, J.A., and Gil-Gómez, J.-A. (2018). Effectiveness of Virtual Reality for Children and Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder: An Evidence-Based Systematic Review. Sensors, 18.10.3390/s18082486 ↗
30. De Luca, R., Leonardi, S., Portaro, S., Le Cause, M., De Domenico, C., Colucci, P.V., Pranio, F., Bramanti, P., and Calabrò, R.S. (2019). Innovative use of virtual reality in autism spectrum disorder: A case-study. Appl. Neuropsychol. Child.10.1080/21622965.2019.1610964 ↗
31. Attention and working memory training: A feasibility study in children with neurodevelopmental disorders10.1080/21622965.2015.1109513 ↗
32. Advantages and challenges associated with augmented reality for education: A systematic review of the literature10.1016/j.edurev.2016.11.002 ↗
33. Neuroconstructivism10.1111/j.1467-7687.2007.00567.x ↗
34. Kukla, A. (2000). Social Constructivism and the Philosophy of Science, Routledge.
35. Multi-modal virtual environments for education with haptic and olfactory feedback10.1007/s10055-006-0040-8 ↗
36. Embedding immersive virtual reality in classrooms: Ethical, organisational and educational lessons in bridging research and practice10.1016/j.ijcci.2018.10.002 ↗
37. Winn, W. (1993). A Conceptual Basis for Educational Applications of Virtual Reality, Human Interface Technology Laboratory of the Washington Technology Center, University of Washington. Technical Publication R-93-9.
38. Williamson, B. (2009). Computer Games, Schools, and Young People: A Report for Educators on Using Games for Learning, Futurelab.
39. Sandford, R., and Williamson, B. (2005). Games and Learning: A Handbook from NESTA FutureLab, Nesta Futurelab.
40. Gee, J.P. (2004). Situated Language and Learning: A Critique of Traditional Schooling, Routledge.
41. Oblinger, D., Oblinger, J.L., and Lippincott, J.K. (2005). The Real Versus the Possible: Closing the Gaps in Engagement and Learning. Educating the net generation, EDUCAUSE.
42. Teaching children thinking
43. VirSchool: The effect of background music and immersive display systems on memory for facts learned in an educational virtual environment10.1016/j.compedu.2011.09.002 ↗
44. 3D virtual learning environments in education: A meta-review10.1007/s12564-016-9467-0 ↗
45. Effectiveness of virtual reality-based instruction on students’ learning outcomes in K-12 and higher education: A meta-analysis10.1016/j.compedu.2013.07.033 ↗
46. Fostering collaboration in kindergarten through an augmented reality game10.20870/IJVR.2011.10.3.2819 ↗
47. Using Augmented Reality in early art education: A case study in Hong Kong kindergarten10.1080/03004430.2015.1067888 ↗
48. Lee, L.-K., Chau, C.-H., Chau, C.-H., and Ng, C.-T. (2017, January 27–29). Using augmented reality to teach kindergarten students English vocabulary. Proceedings of the 2017 International Symposium on Educational Technology (ISET), Hong Kong, China.10.1109/ISET.2017.20 ↗
49. Lorusso, M.L., Giorgetti, M., Travellini, S., Greci, L., Zangiacomi, A., Mondellini, M., Sacco, M., and Reni, G. (2018). Giok the Alien: An AR-Based Integrated System for the Empowerment of Problem-Solving, Pragmatic, and Social Skills in Pre-School Children. Sensors, 18.10.3390/s18072368 ↗
50. Exploring the learnability and usability of a near field communication-based application for semantic enrichment in children with language disorders10.1080/10400435.2016.1253046 ↗
51. Kennedy, K., and Richard, E.F. (2018). Virtual Reality. Handbook of Research on K-12 Online and Blended Learning, Carnegie Mellon University, ETC Press.
52. Measuring the effects of toys on the problem-solving, creative and social behaviours of preschool children10.1080/03004430.2010.503892 ↗
53. Effectiveness of the virtual reality on cognitive function of children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy: A single-blind randomized controlled trial10.1097/MRR.0000000000000378 ↗
54. Virtual reality training to enhance behavior and cognitive function among children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: Brief report10.1080/17518423.2018.1476602 ↗
55. Gee, J.P. (2013). The Anti-Education Era: Creating Smarter Students through Digital Learning, St. Martin’s Press.
56. Gee, J.P., and Hayes, E.R. (2011). Language and Learning in the Digital Age, Routledge.10.4324/9780203830918 ↗
57. Music for speech and language development in early childhood populations10.1093/mtp/mix014 ↗
58. The effects of training in rhythm and pitch on phonological awareness in four-to six-year-old children10.1177/0305735618756763 ↗