Abstract:

As part of the 3rd edition of Individual Study Programs implemented in the form of Project Based Learning at the Silesian University of Technology in Gliwice (Poland), an interdisciplinary team was created comprising instructors and students from two faculties: the Faculty of Automatic Control, Electronics and Computer Science and the Faculty of Architecture.

The aim of the project was an implementation of an application using virtual reality (VR) to diagnose the cognitive functions of the elderly. An important aspect of the entire project was interdisciplinary cooperation between the Faculty of Automatic Control, Electronics and Computer Science, the Faculty of Architecture, the 4Experience company, the Laboratory of Architecture 60+ (LAB 60+), and the Geriatric Hospital in Katowice. Each of the parties contributed specific skills and experience to the project, as well as their unique view on the project and its implementation.

As part of the project, the following scientific and research problems were solved.
1) The diagnostic tasks of the prodromal stages of Alzheimer's dementia were analyzed, selected, implemented, and initially tested in terms of their implementation in the VR environment and ensuring conditions and the challenges similar to those the elderly face every day.
2) VR devices were analyzed for their use by the elderly and their impact on performing selected tasks in the virtual world.
3) Architectural solutions following the principles of the universal design have been proposed, modeled, and tested for the psychological and physical comfort of the elderly during the tests.

Working in an interdisciplinary team gave students the possibility to share technical knowledge, to consult and jointly solve encountered problems as well as find compromises and integrate different areas of fields of research and experiences.

The final effect of the project is an application using virtual reality designed for VR glasses: HTC Vive Pro Eye. The product is a tool for diagnosing the prodromal stages of Alzheimer's dementia. The main emphasis was put on testing such cognitive functions as episodic memory, top-down attention, spatial orientation, and executive functions. The tool can be used by older people. When designing the tool, special attention was paid to the simplicity of use and the selection of tasks that 60+ people face every day (e.g. finding keys in the salon, finding the way to the doctor's office). The developed tool can be used in the diagnosis of cognitive functions in other age groups and clinical conditions, for example in the study of younger people after craniocerebral trauma, strokes, or in the course of multiple sclerosis.

Keywords:

Immersive Virtual Reality, Diagnosing Alzheimer's Dementia, Architectural Design Process.