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BMC Geriatrics
Published in: BMC Geriatrics 1/2021

Open Access 01-12-2021 | Research article

Age-related impairment of navigation and strategy in virtual star maze

Authors: Jia-Xin Zhang, Lin Wang, Hai-Yan Hou, Chun-Lin Yue, Liang Wang, Hui-Jie Li

Published in: BMC Geriatrics | Issue 1/2021

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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.
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Metadata
Title
Age-related impairment of navigation and strategy in virtual star maze
Authors
Jia-Xin Zhang
Lin Wang
Hai-Yan Hou
Chun-Lin Yue
Liang Wang
Hui-Jie Li
Publication date
01-12-2021
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Geriatrics / Issue 1/2021
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2318
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-021-02034-y

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