The overall objective of this project is the demonstration, clinically and in the market, of the higher performance of virtual reality environment based diagnosis systems for mental disorders; not only for children but also for adults; and not only by ourselves but also by independent collaborators that validate our findings.
VRMIND includes five virtual environments for diagnosis of four mental disorder families:
- Nesplora Aula, neuropsychological test for the assessment of attention in children from 6 to 16 years old: is a computerized Continuous Performance Test (CPT) designed to evaluate attention processes and support the diagnosis of attention disorders. It is also valuable in other kind of disorders where attentional processes are essential like generalized developmental disorders, difficulties to learn of cognitive deficiencies. Nesplora Aula offers scores about: sustained attention, divided attention (visual and auditory); impulsivity; excessive motor activity (hyperactivity); tendency to distraction, processing speed, focus on the task, attentional difference between visual and audio stimuli and between more and less stimulating tasks, sterile movement, motor activity and fatigue for tasks. Also distinguishes the tendencies to the internal or external distraction.The normative study of Nesplora Aula with general population of Spain was published in Journal of Attention Disorders (Iriarte et al., 2012), and the convergent validity with Conners’ Continuous Performance Test, the market leading test, has been published in Child Neuropsychology journal (Díaz et al., 2014). + More
- Nesplora Aula School, is the same neuropsychological test of Nesplora Aula, but with a different orientation, instead of supporting the diagnosis of attentional problems, it aims to support the identification of the attentional profile of the student so it can be a help establishing effective pedagogical plans
- Nesplora Ice Cream, virtual reality test for the evaluation of executive functions: evaluates executive functions in people with acquired brain injury, schizophrenia, substance abuse, adult ADHD and diverse neurodegenerative diseases such as dementia (Alzheimer’s, etc.). + More
- Nesplora Suite, virtual reality test for the evaluation of memory processes: evaluates memory processes in people with acquired brain injury, schizophrenia, substance abuse, adult ADHD and diverse neurodegenerative diseases such as dementia (Alzheimer’s, etc.). Variables measured by Nesplora Suite include: immediate, short and long term memory, episodic memory, procedural memory, prospective memory and memory problem simulation (malingering).
- Nesplora Aquarium, virtual reality test for the evaluation of attention and working memory in people over 16 years-old: Both functions are closely related and affected in different pathologies. Nesplora Aquarium aims to provide useful information for the ADHD diagnosis on adolescents and adults, and also relevant information in different condition as affective disorders or psychotic disorders.
Based on clinical studies, the test could be also a useful measure on the evaluation of patients with Acquired Brain Injury or initial phases of dementia. Through different Continuous Performance Test (CPT) paradigms, Nesplora Aquarium collects reliable information about: Sustained attention, visual and auditory attention; Motor activity; Impulse control; Perseveration; It also includes tasks which assess the main working memory components through two dual tasks: Phonological loop and Visuospatial sketchpad; Central executive.+ More
Díaz-Orueta, U., García-López, C., Crespo-Eguílaz, N., Sánchez-Carpintero, R., Climent, G., & Narbona, J., (2014). Nesplora Aula virtual reality test as an attention measure: convergent validity with Conners’ Continuous Performance Test. Child Neuropsychology, 20 (3), 328-342. DOI: 10.1080/09297049.2013.792332
Iriarte, Y., Díaz-Orueta, U., Cueto, E., Irazustabarrena, P., Banterla, F., & Climent, G. (2012). Nesplora Aula, advanced virtual reality tool for the assessment of attention: normative study in Spain. Journal of Attention Disorders, published online 12 December 2012. DOI: 10.1177/1087054712465335.