Training multitasking in a virtual supermarket: a novel intervention after stroke.

Full Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To explore the potential of the VMall, a virtual supermarket running on a video-capture virtual reality system, as an intervention tool for people who have multitasking deficits after stroke. METHOD: Poststroke, 4 participants received ten 60-min sessions over 3 weeks using the VMall. The intervention focused on improving multitasking while the participant was engaged in a virtual shopping task. Instruments included the Multiple Errands Test-Hospital Version (MET-HV) in a real mall and in the VMall. RESULTS: Participants achieved improvements ranging from 20.5% to 51.2% for most of the MET-HV measures performed in a real shopping mall and in the VMall. CONCLUSIONS: The data support the VMall's potential as a motivating and effective intervention tool for the rehabilitation of people poststroke who have multitasking deficits during the performance of daily tasks. However, because the sample was small, additional intervention studies with the VMall should be conducted.

Author information

Author/s: Rand, Debbie (D); Weiss, Patrice L Tamar (PL); Katz, Noomi (N);

Affiliation: Department of Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Social Welfare and Health Services, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel. Debbie.Rand(-atsign-)vch.ca

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Journal: The American journal of occupational therapy. : official publication of the American Occupational Therapy Association (Am J Occup Ther), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: -2009 Sep-Oct; vol 63 (issue 5) : pp 535-42

Dates: Created 2009/09/29; Completed 2009/10/23;

PMID: 19785252, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 10/23/2009, IMS Date: )

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

External Links for this article
(including full text providers, if available):

Click Electronic Full-text Provider Links to see options for finding the electronic full text links to this article. Note there may be a subscription or fee required for access to the full text. See our FAQ for information on finding FREE full text articles.

This article may also be located in paper journal collections available in many libraries. Use the Journal and Publication Information above to find the full article.