Journal article
Cognitive Effort during Visuospatial Problem Solving in Physical Real World, on Computer Screen, and in Virtual Reality
Sensors (Basel, Switzerland), v 24(3), p977
02 Feb 2024
Featured in Collection : UN Sustainable Development Goals @ Drexel
Abstract
Spatial cognition plays a crucial role in academic achievement, particularly in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) domains. Immersive virtual environments (VRs) have the growing potential to reduce cognitive load and improve spatial reasoning. However, traditional methods struggle to assess the mental effort required for visuospatial processes due to the difficulty in verbalizing actions and other limitations in self-reported evaluations. In this neuroergonomics study, we aimed to capture the neural activity associated with cognitive workload during visuospatial tasks and evaluate the impact of the visualization medium on visuospatial task performance. We utilized functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) wearable neuroimaging to assess cognitive effort during spatial-reasoning-based problem-solving and compared a VR, a computer screen, and a physical real-world task presentation. Our results reveal a higher neural efficiency in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) during 3D geometry puzzles in VR settings compared to the settings in the physical world and on the computer screen. VR appears to reduce the visuospatial task load by facilitating spatial visualization and providing visual cues. This makes it a valuable tool for spatial cognition training, especially for beginners. Additionally, our multimodal approach allows for progressively increasing task complexity, maintaining a challenge throughout training. This study underscores the potential of VR in developing spatial skills and highlights the value of comparing brain data and human interaction across different training settings.
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Details
- Title
- Cognitive Effort during Visuospatial Problem Solving in Physical Real World, on Computer Screen, and in Virtual Reality
- Creators
- Raimundo da Silva SoaresKevin L. Ramirez-Chavez - Drexel UniversityAltona Tufanoglu - Drexel UniversityCandida Barreto - Drexel UniversityJoão Ricardo Sato - Universidade Federal do ABCHasan Ayaz - Drexel University
- Publication Details
- Sensors (Basel, Switzerland), v 24(3), p977
- Publisher
- MDPI
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Drexel Solutions Institute; School of Biomedical Engineering, Science, and Health Systems
- Web of Science ID
- WOS:001160016500001
- Scopus ID
- 2-s2.0-85184657294
- Other Identifier
- 991021849115404721
UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
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- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- International collaboration
- Web of Science research areas
- Chemistry, Analytical
- Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
- Instruments & Instrumentation