A group of researchers based out of Aalto University, Åbo Akademi Universit, and the University of Helsinki has developed a VR game that can supposedly help diagnose attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children. The kid-friendly interactive experience uses a combination of machine learning and eye-tracking to effectively identify a variety of ADHD symptoms. Referred to as Executive Performance in Everyday Living (EPELI), the game immerses users in a virtual apartment where they must complete a series of everyday tasks. To succeed, users need to think ahead and remember their instructions while ignoring all distractions in the process.
Currently, the most popular method for detecting ADHD symptoms is the Continuous Performance Task (CPT) test, during which participants watch a sequence of letters appear on a screen and press a button anytime a letter other than ‘X’ appears. According to researchers, EPELI could provide a more effective solution for diagnosing ADHD compared to a CPT test while better motivating users. All the neuropsychologists who answered a feedback survey after the first pilot said they had benefited from using VR methods as a complementary tool in their work. The team recently added eye-tracking to the game, allowing them to better diagnose attention deficits by tracking a user’s eye movements.
More information:
https://vrscout.com/news/study-shows-how-vr-could-help-diagnose-adhd/