MINDSET

Cognitive Rehabilitation through Therapeutic Video Games and Brain Stimulation

TRASFORMAZIONE DIGITALE

 

Description

The main idea behind the MINDSET project is to stimulate and assess spatial orientation skills in patients with congenital or acquired brain injuries through a training program based on virtual reality (VR) and other forms of interactive engagement within a newly developed, generalized e-health User-Centered Designed platform.

Thanks to MINDSET, platform users can improve their spatial abilities, stimulate, and rehabilitate cognitive functions impaired by brain insults (such as stroke, neurodegenerative diseases, or trauma).

The platform will collect and analyze data which, once properly interpreted, will allow therapists, patients, and families to have an updated overview of the patient’s cognitive state and its progression over time.

Patients can access the services through web and mobile platforms (e.g., tablets), and also via wearable devices and immersive reality systems. When necessary, patients can be equipped with wearable and/or home-based sensors to monitor biometric parameters. These can be used to provide therapists with a proactive understanding of the patient’s overall health status and to detect potential warning signs that may require pausing or adjusting the rehabilitation exercises.

The team, supported by medical and psychological experts, has developed a training program with therapeutic VR applications for the exploration of virtual environments (e.g., city routes), interactive 360° videos, and exercises divided into neurocognitive domains defined by the DSM-5.
The use of VR allows for a realistic reproduction of spatial exploration experiences, and, combined with the game-like aspects, enhances user engagement.

The entire protocol and methodology have been scientifically defined, validated, and tested with end users. A first testing phase was conducted with healthy subjects, followed by a second phase involving patients, in order to assess usability.

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Result to be enhanced

The MINDSET project aims to develop an integrated platform for cognitive stimulation and rehabilitation of spatial orientation skills through exercises and training applications that integrate various technologies and methodologies, including:

• Exercises divided into neurocognitive domains as defined by the DSM-5

• Video game-based training apps using virtual and immersive reality

• Interactive 360° video explorations

• Patient coordination and rehabilitation monitoring, in close connection with family members, caregivers, and healthcare professionals involved in the rehabilitation process

Through this system, individuals can improve spatial skills and counteract cognitive decline in a safe environment, free from the risk of getting lost, and at any time of day.

Furthermore, it contributes to an improved quality of life for both patients and their families by reducing the need for medical visits and transfers, enabling remote rehabilitation activities, optimizing therapists’ work, and reducing overall management costs.

Experts from the research group, in collaboration with the end user, have identified and validated the methodologies and technologies used in the MINDSET trials.

Spatial cognition refers to the ability to navigate the world, acquiring and updating information about the position of the body, surrounding objects, and the environment.

MINDSET also aims to develop a spatial navigation training tool, implemented as a video game-like virtual application, to be integrated into the platform. The focus is placed on navigation, orientation, and spatial memory skills.

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Why is it important?

The platform’s initial users are individuals who need to improve their spatial orientation abilities and stimulate or rehabilitate cognitive functions that have deteriorated following brain insults such as stroke, neurodegenerative diseases, or traumatic injuries.

Project sheet

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