Learning and memory in virtual environments: A role in neurorehabilitation? Questions (and occasional answers) from the University of East London

The virtual reality research group at the University of East London has its origins in basic neuroscience research on environmental influences on reco very of function from brain damage. Here we describe our work since incorpo rating within our research the use of virtual environments (VEs) in brain d amage rehabilitation. We have focused on three issues relating to the devel opment of VEs for people with impaired brain function: "usability," the val ue of active interaction (as opposed to passive observation), and the natur e of transfer of training from virtual to real environments. Our studies, w hich have encompassed vascular, traumatic, degenerative, and developmental brain damage, suggest that VEs have great potential in brain damage rehabil itation.