Cognition in Virtual Reality: Assessing User Acceptability and Feasibility of Virtual Reality Cognitive Screening for Older Adults

Frank Ho-yin Lai; Benjamin K. Yee; Eileen Han-Jie Wang; Joe Butler; Andrew Graham; Eddie Yip-kuen Hai; Cath Darling; Stephanie Whittington; Julie-anne Lowe

doi:10.1002/alz70858_099841

Abstract

Background

Cognitive health significantly influences the ageing journey, and virtual reality gamified tools offer innovative approaches for evaluating cognitive function.

Method

This study explores the acceptability and feasibility of a Virtual Reality Working Memory Test (VRWMT), a gamified cognitive assessment tool in assessing spatial working memory (SWM), among three age groups—12 young adults (YA, 18–50 years old), 12 younger elderly (YE, 60–69 years old), and 12 older elderly (OE, 70+ years old) —using the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) with constructs including perceived usefulness (PU), perceived ease of use (PEU), attitude toward using (ATU), and behavioural intention to use (BIU) to analyse users’ perspectives.

Result

Findings reveal distinct perceptions shaped by age, technology familiarity, and socio-demographic factors. YA participants value the tool for its productivity and cognitive enhancement capabilities, reporting high PEU and a positive ATU driven by engaging features. YE participants associate PU with cognitive health maintenance, emphasising the need for user-friendly navigation and motivational feedback to support ATU. OE participants link PU to practical daily applications, with PEU heavily reliant on accessibility features such as large fonts and voice assistance. Their ATU improves with encouragement from caregivers and clear assurances of the tool's relevance. BIU across all groups depend on the tool's ability to integrate seamlessly into daily life and deliver measurable benefits.

Conclusion

These findings underpin the necessity for a tailored approach in designing the VRWMT to meet the unique needs of each demographic. By incorporating adaptive interfaces, robust onboarding, and continuous user feedback, the VRWMT can become an inclusive and effective tool for cognitive health assessment and intervention, fostering long-term user engagement and improved outcomes.

Original language	English
Article number	e099841
Number of pages	2
Journal	Alzheimer's and Dementia
Volume	21
Issue number	S4
Early online date	24 Dec 2025
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1002/alz70858_099841
Publication status	Published - Dec 2025

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Alzheimer s Dementia - 2025 - Lai - Cognition in Virtual Reality Assessing User Acceptability and Feasibility of VirtualFinal published version, 88.1 KBLicence: CC BY

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title = "Cognition in Virtual Reality: Assessing User Acceptability and Feasibility of Virtual Reality Cognitive Screening for Older Adults",

abstract = "BackgroundCognitive health significantly influences the ageing journey, and virtual reality gamified tools offer innovative approaches for evaluating cognitive function.MethodThis study explores the acceptability and feasibility of a Virtual Reality Working Memory Test (VRWMT), a gamified cognitive assessment tool in assessing spatial working memory (SWM), among three age groups—12 young adults (YA, 18–50 years old), 12 younger elderly (YE, 60–69 years old), and 12 older elderly (OE, 70+ years old) —using the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) with constructs including perceived usefulness (PU), perceived ease of use (PEU), attitude toward using (ATU), and behavioural intention to use (BIU) to analyse users{\textquoteright} perspectives.ResultFindings reveal distinct perceptions shaped by age, technology familiarity, and socio-demographic factors. YA participants value the tool for its productivity and cognitive enhancement capabilities, reporting high PEU and a positive ATU driven by engaging features. YE participants associate PU with cognitive health maintenance, emphasising the need for user-friendly navigation and motivational feedback to support ATU. OE participants link PU to practical daily applications, with PEU heavily reliant on accessibility features such as large fonts and voice assistance. Their ATU improves with encouragement from caregivers and clear assurances of the tool's relevance. BIU across all groups depend on the tool's ability to integrate seamlessly into daily life and deliver measurable benefits.ConclusionThese findings underpin the necessity for a tailored approach in designing the VRWMT to meet the unique needs of each demographic. By incorporating adaptive interfaces, robust onboarding, and continuous user feedback, the VRWMT can become an inclusive and effective tool for cognitive health assessment and intervention, fostering long-term user engagement and improved outcomes.",

author = "Lai, \{Frank Ho-yin\} and Yee, \{Benjamin K.\} and Wang, \{Eileen Han-Jie\} and Joe Butler and Andrew Graham and Hai, \{Eddie Yip-kuen\} and Cath Darling and Stephanie Whittington and Julie-anne Lowe",

year = "2025",

month = dec,

doi = "10.1002/alz70858\_099841",

language = "English",

volume = "21",

journal = "Alzheimer's and Dementia",

issn = "1552-5260",

publisher = "Blackwell Publishing",

number = "S4",

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TY - JOUR

T1 - Cognition in Virtual Reality

T2 - Assessing User Acceptability and Feasibility of Virtual Reality Cognitive Screening for Older Adults

AU - Lai, Frank Ho-yin

AU - Yee, Benjamin K.

AU - Wang, Eileen Han-Jie

AU - Butler, Joe

AU - Graham, Andrew

AU - Hai, Eddie Yip-kuen

AU - Darling, Cath

AU - Whittington, Stephanie

AU - Lowe, Julie-anne

PY - 2025/12

Y1 - 2025/12

N2 - BackgroundCognitive health significantly influences the ageing journey, and virtual reality gamified tools offer innovative approaches for evaluating cognitive function.MethodThis study explores the acceptability and feasibility of a Virtual Reality Working Memory Test (VRWMT), a gamified cognitive assessment tool in assessing spatial working memory (SWM), among three age groups—12 young adults (YA, 18–50 years old), 12 younger elderly (YE, 60–69 years old), and 12 older elderly (OE, 70+ years old) —using the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) with constructs including perceived usefulness (PU), perceived ease of use (PEU), attitude toward using (ATU), and behavioural intention to use (BIU) to analyse users’ perspectives.ResultFindings reveal distinct perceptions shaped by age, technology familiarity, and socio-demographic factors. YA participants value the tool for its productivity and cognitive enhancement capabilities, reporting high PEU and a positive ATU driven by engaging features. YE participants associate PU with cognitive health maintenance, emphasising the need for user-friendly navigation and motivational feedback to support ATU. OE participants link PU to practical daily applications, with PEU heavily reliant on accessibility features such as large fonts and voice assistance. Their ATU improves with encouragement from caregivers and clear assurances of the tool's relevance. BIU across all groups depend on the tool's ability to integrate seamlessly into daily life and deliver measurable benefits.ConclusionThese findings underpin the necessity for a tailored approach in designing the VRWMT to meet the unique needs of each demographic. By incorporating adaptive interfaces, robust onboarding, and continuous user feedback, the VRWMT can become an inclusive and effective tool for cognitive health assessment and intervention, fostering long-term user engagement and improved outcomes.

AB - BackgroundCognitive health significantly influences the ageing journey, and virtual reality gamified tools offer innovative approaches for evaluating cognitive function.MethodThis study explores the acceptability and feasibility of a Virtual Reality Working Memory Test (VRWMT), a gamified cognitive assessment tool in assessing spatial working memory (SWM), among three age groups—12 young adults (YA, 18–50 years old), 12 younger elderly (YE, 60–69 years old), and 12 older elderly (OE, 70+ years old) —using the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) with constructs including perceived usefulness (PU), perceived ease of use (PEU), attitude toward using (ATU), and behavioural intention to use (BIU) to analyse users’ perspectives.ResultFindings reveal distinct perceptions shaped by age, technology familiarity, and socio-demographic factors. YA participants value the tool for its productivity and cognitive enhancement capabilities, reporting high PEU and a positive ATU driven by engaging features. YE participants associate PU with cognitive health maintenance, emphasising the need for user-friendly navigation and motivational feedback to support ATU. OE participants link PU to practical daily applications, with PEU heavily reliant on accessibility features such as large fonts and voice assistance. Their ATU improves with encouragement from caregivers and clear assurances of the tool's relevance. BIU across all groups depend on the tool's ability to integrate seamlessly into daily life and deliver measurable benefits.ConclusionThese findings underpin the necessity for a tailored approach in designing the VRWMT to meet the unique needs of each demographic. By incorporating adaptive interfaces, robust onboarding, and continuous user feedback, the VRWMT can become an inclusive and effective tool for cognitive health assessment and intervention, fostering long-term user engagement and improved outcomes.

UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105025864573

U2 - 10.1002/alz70858_099841

DO - 10.1002/alz70858_099841

M3 - Meeting Abstract

C2 - 41445360

AN - SCOPUS:105025864573

SN - 1552-5260

VL - 21

JO - Alzheimer's and Dementia

JF - Alzheimer's and Dementia

IS - S4

M1 - e099841

ER -

Cognition in Virtual Reality: Assessing User Acceptability and Feasibility of Virtual Reality Cognitive Screening for Older Adults

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