Jia-Xin Zhang1,2, Lin Wang2,3, Hai-Yan Hou1,2, Chun-Lin Yue4, Liang Wang5,6, Hui-Jie Li7,8. 1. CAS Key Laboratory of Behavioral Science, Institute of Psychology, 16 Lincui Road, Beijing, 100101, China. 2. Department of Psychology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China. 3. CAS Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology, 16 Lincui Road, Beijing, 100101, China. 4. College of Physical Education and Sport Science, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215021, China. 5. Department of Psychology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China. lwang@psych.ac.cn. 6. CAS Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology, 16 Lincui Road, Beijing, 100101, China. lwang@psych.ac.cn. 7. CAS Key Laboratory of Behavioral Science, Institute of Psychology, 16 Lincui Road, Beijing, 100101, China. lihj@psych.ac.cn. 8. Department of Psychology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China. lihj@psych.ac.cn.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Although it is well known that aging impairs navigation performance, the underlying mechanisms remain largely unknown. Egocentric strategy requires navigators to remember a series of body-turns without relying on the relationship between environmental cues. Previous study suggested that the egocentric strategy, compared with non-egocentric strategy, was relatively unimpaired during aging. In this study, we aimed to examine strategy use during virtual navigation task and the underlying cognitive supporting mechanisms in older adults. METHODS: Thirty young adults and thirty-one older adults were recruited from the local community. This study adapted star maze paradigm using non-immersive virtual environment. Participants moved freely in a star maze with adequate landmarks, and were requested to find a fixed destination. After 9 learning trials, participants were probed in the same virtual star maze but with no salient landmarks. Participants were classified as egocentric or non-egocentric strategy group according to their response in the probe trial. RESULTS: The results revealed that older adults adopting egocentric strategy completed the navigation task as accurate as young adults, whereas older adults using non-egocentric strategy completed the navigation task with more detours and lower accuracy. The relatively well-maintained egocentric strategy in older adults was related to better visuo-spatial ability. CONCLUSIONS: Visuo-spatial ability might play an important role in navigation accuracy and navigation strategy of older adults. This study demonstrated the potential value of the virtual star maze in evaluating navigation strategy and visuo-spatial ability in older adults.
BACKGROUND: Although it is well known that aging impairs navigation performance, the underlying mechanisms remain largely unknown. Egocentric strategy requires navigators to remember a series of body-turns without relying on the relationship between environmental cues. Previous study suggested that the egocentric strategy, compared with non-egocentric strategy, was relatively unimpaired during aging. In this study, we aimed to examine strategy use during virtual navigation task and the underlying cognitive supporting mechanisms in older adults. METHODS: Thirty young adults and thirty-one older adults were recruited from the local community. This study adapted star maze paradigm using non-immersive virtual environment. Participants moved freely in a star maze with adequate landmarks, and were requested to find a fixed destination. After 9 learning trials, participants were probed in the same virtual star maze but with no salient landmarks. Participants were classified as egocentric or non-egocentric strategy group according to their response in the probe trial. RESULTS: The results revealed that older adults adopting egocentric strategy completed the navigation task as accurate as young adults, whereas older adults using non-egocentric strategy completed the navigation task with more detours and lower accuracy. The relatively well-maintained egocentric strategy in older adults was related to better visuo-spatial ability. CONCLUSIONS: Visuo-spatial ability might play an important role in navigation accuracy and navigation strategy of older adults. This study demonstrated the potential value of the virtual star maze in evaluating navigation strategy and visuo-spatial ability in older adults.
Entities:
Keywords:
Aging; Egocentric strategy; Navigation; Star maze; Virtual environment
Authors: E M Migo; O O'Daly; M Mitterschiffthaler; E Antonova; G R Dawson; C T Dourish; K J Craig; A Simmons; G K Wilcock; E McCulloch; S H D Jackson; M D Kopelman; S C R Williams; R G Morris Journal: Neuropsychol Dev Cogn B Aging Neuropsychol Cogn Date: 2015-08-03