Using 360° Video in Psychometric Assessment of Cognitive Functions: SemApp and its Usability data

The effectiveness of psychometric tests in assessing real-world abilities is increasingly emerging as an issue in the neuropsychological field. Researchers stress the importance of collecting information that is more comparable to what is observed in reality. In comparison to traditional paper-and-pencil tests, 360-degree technology appears as a promising tool for offering lifelike experiences in a controlled and safe manner, maintaining high levels of graphical realism and immersion. Moreover, it appears technical user-friendliness compared to traditional computer-based virtual reality. These characteristics seem to be essential components for resolving the validity problem. Thus, we aim to investigate the potential benefits of using 360-degree technology for memory assessment. Based on previous evidence, the present study aims to create a novel application focused on two crucial components of everyday memory: spatial and episodic memory. We present and test the usability of semApp, which is composed of an object recognition task and a spatial memory task. Both evaluate memory by simulating a real-life situation: a relocation and the exploration of a house. This cross-platform tool can be deployed on the patients’ devices (e.g., tablets and smartphones) and guarantee an objective and standardized evaluation. 7 end-users judged the usability of the application. They were Mild Cognitive Impaired patients, who evaluate semApp as a promising tool for enhancing the ecological value of standard memory assessment tests.