Active versus passive exploration of virtual environments modulates spatial memory in MS patients: a yoked control study

This study investigated whether exploration of computer-generated environme nts can selectively enhance spatial memory in patients with multiple sclero sis (MS)., Fifteen patients and 15 healthy subjects who controlled their mo vements in a virtual house using a joystick recalled the spatial layout of the environments better than 15 patients and 15 controls who merely watched the active participants' progress. Among passive subjects, only healthy co ntrols did significantly better than active participants in the recall of v irtual objects. There were no significant differences between active and pa ssive participants' recall of correct object locations in the virtual envir onments. MS patients' recall of the spatial layout and of the virtual objec ts was significantly worse than that of healthy subjects, but patients' dat a did not correlate with traditional neuropsychological measures of spatial memory. It is suggested that virtual reality can be used in MS patients to assess aspects of spatial memory that an not measured by traditional tests .