Objective: MEMOSHOP is a virtual reality (VR)-based supermarket application for assessing episodic memory in aging. The aim of this study was to examine its construct validity against the gold standard paper-and-pencil neuropsychological test for clinical memory assessment in mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in older adults.
Methods: Patients with isolated subjective cognitive complaints (SCCs) or MCI were recruited in the Bordeaux Memory Clinic (MEMENTO cohort). Cognitively normal elderly controls were also recruited. MEMOSHOP allows a near-ecological evaluation of episodic memory during a usual daily life activity, i.e. shopping at the supermarket. MEMOSHOP and the gold standard Free and Cued Selective Reminding Test (FCSRT: French adaptation) were administered to all participants to assess episodic memory. Non-parametric tests and receiver operating characteristic curves were computed to compare their performances.
Results: Twenty-nine patients (21 females, age = 71 years ±7) and 29 matched controls were evaluated. The performance trends observed with MEMOSHOP and FCSRT on free and cued recall were associated (p < .01) and comparable (p < .0001), without any participants' groups interaction. Although easier than FCSRT in free recall for participants, MEMOSHOP demonstrated better diagnostic performance based on cued recall in isolated SCCs/MCI patients (p < .05).
Conclusion: MEMOSHOP demonstrated its reliability and validity for VR-based episodic memory assessment in the early stage of MCI and is potentially of interest for use in memory clinic settings.
Keywords: Virtual reality; aging; cognition; episodic memory; mild cognitive impairment; supermarket.
© The Author(s) 2023.