Singaporean VR Tool Detects Early Signs of Dementia with 90% Accuracy
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A new virtual reality application developed in Singapore is demonstrating remarkable accuracy in identifying mild cognitive impairment, offering a potential breakthrough in early dementia detection.
Singapore is at the forefront of leveraging immersive technology for healthcare, with a locally developed virtual reality (VR) application now capable of identifying individuals with mild cognitive impairment – often a precursor to dementia – with nearly 90% accuracy. The tool, known as Cognitive Assessment by Virtual Reality (Cavire-2), represents a notable advancement over traditional cognitive screening methods.
Bridging the Gap in cognitive assessment
Conventional methods, such as the montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) and the mini mental state examination, rely on pen-and-paper questionnaires assessing attention and memory. However, these methods often lack ecological validity – meaning they don’t accurately reflect real-world cognitive challenges. Cavire-2 addresses this limitation by immersing users in realistic, everyday scenarios.
During the assessment, users navigate virtual environments designed to mimic common situations in Singapore. These include tasks like selecting appropriate banknotes to pay for groceries in a virtual supermarket, navigating a virtual Housing Board flat, all while distractions like a crying baby test thier focus.
How Cavire-2 Works: A Deep Dive
The assessment of social cognition – how individuals perceive and respond to social situations – is a especially innovative aspect of Cavire-2. Users are presented with scenarios like witnessing a birthday party or a traffic accident, and their responses are analyzed. Developed thru a collaboration between primary care researchers at SingHealth Polyclinics and local VR software firm FXMediabeginningin2020Cavire-2isdesignedtobeculturallyrelevanttothe
A recent study, published in the peer-reviewed journal Virtual Reality in July, demonstrated the tool’s effectiveness. Researchers found Cavire-2 could reliably distinguish between cognitively healthy individuals and those with mild cognitive impairment with 88.9% accuracy. It also accurately identified individuals with no cognitive issues 70.5% of the time. The study involved 280 participants, aged between 55 and 84, from diverse racial backgrounds, and utilized “blind tests” to minimize bias. Participants completed both Cavire-2 and the standard MoCA assessment,with a subset repeating the VR assessment to confirm reliability.
Addressing an Urgent Need in an Aging Population
The development of Cavire-2 comes at a critical time for Singapore, which is experiencing a rapidly aging population. By 2030, one in four people will be aged 65 and older. Currently, approximately one in eight people in Singapore has mild cognitive impairment, and between 10 and 18% of those individuals will develop Alzheimer’s disease – the leading cause of dementia – within a year.
“While there is currently no cure for dementia, leveraging technologies and AI to detect early cognitive changes enable timely interventions that may help slow disease progression and preserve quality of life,” Prof Tan emphasized at a press conference on august 5.Current interventions include medication and brain-stimulating activities like memory games and physical exercise.
Future Development and Patient Perspectives
SingHealth Polyclinics plans to introduce cavire-2 at its clinics,though a specific rollout timeline has not yet been announced. The next phase of development will focus on evaluating the tool’s ability to track the effectiveness of interventions designed to delay the onset of dementia. A panel of healthcare professionals,including neurologists and family physicians,will also review the application’s scenarios to ensure its continued effectiveness.
The tool has already garnered positive feedback from those who have participated in testing. Housewife Goh Ai Lian, 61, initially expressed apprehension about taking the test, fearing a potential diagnosis of early-stage dementia. however, after undergoing the Cavire-2 assessment, she was relieved to learn she did not have mild cognitive impairment. “Nonetheless, Madam Goh described the tool as taking a ‘respectful and welcoming approach’ to detecting dementia.”
The success of Cavire-2 highlights the potential of VR technology to revolutionize cognitive healthcare, offering a more accurate, ecologically valid, and culturally sensitive approach to early dementia detection and intervention.
