The effectiveness of artificial intelligent 3-D virtual reality vocational problem-solving training in enhancing employment opportunities for people with traumatic brain injury | Knowledge Translation for Employment Research Center

Authors:	Marini, I., Lee, G. K., Chan, F., Chapin, M. H., & Romero, M. G.
Year Published	2013
Publication	Brain Injury
Volume	27
Number	9
Pages	1016-1025
Publisher	Informa Healthcare
Background	Individuals who sustain traumatic brain injuries face a myriad of cognitive and other disabilities post injury. Deficits in executive functioning are one of the major problems that impact work. Psychosocial educational interventions and computer assisted training have helped some individuals learn to problem solve. Virtual reality may also be a useful tool.
Purpose	This study explored whether or not participants with artificially intelligent VR based vocational problem solving skill training would show better problem solving skills and employment outcomes, than those who received conventional psychosocial program.
Setting	The training modules were developed at a University lab in Hong Kong. Where the study took place was not clear.
Sample	The study sample included 40 people from Hong Kong with mild (N=20)and moderate (N=20) traumatic brain injury. Participants were randomly assigned to one of the two study groups.
Data Collection	The Wisconsin Card Sorting Test and the Tower of London Test were administered to participants. In addition, the Vocational Cognitive Rating Scale was completed by the participant's case manager or supervisor of a rehabilitation facility or center. After the pretest each participant started either the virtual or psychosocial training. The content and structure of the two programs were similar. Each included an introduction to training objectives, training in specific vocational skills and practice and a review of those skills. The virtual program was interactive in nature. The psycho educational vocational training system included a training manual and was delivered under the guidance of a trainer. Post test were also conducted on the previously cited measures. Information about the participants employment status was collected at one, three and six month intervals. Statistical analysis were performed using SPSS for Windows Version 17.
Control	The control condition was traditional psycho-educational training.
Findings	There was no significant differences in the participants in screening criteria or baseline of outcomes between the virtual training and psycho education program. Those who participated in the virtual training showed improvements in selective cognitive functioning. However, the training did not transfer to functional real world outcomes, as indicated by limited success in vocational outcomes. The virtual training was more cost effective than workshop based training.
Conclusions	Virtual reality training may improve memory functioning and have other applications for vocational rehabilitation. More research is needed.
URL	http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23662639
Disabilities	Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
Populations	Asian
Outcomes	Employment acquisition
NIDILRR Funded	Yes
Research Design	Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs)
Peer Reviewed	Yes

Year Published

2013

Publication

Brain Injury

Volume

27

Number

9

Pages

1016-1025

Publisher

Informa Healthcare

Background

Individuals who sustain traumatic brain injuries face a myriad of cognitive and other disabilities post injury. Deficits in executive functioning are one of the major problems that impact work. Psychosocial educational interventions and computer assisted training have helped some individuals learn to problem solve. Virtual reality may also be a useful tool.

Purpose

This study explored whether or not participants with artificially intelligent VR based vocational problem solving skill training would show better problem solving skills and employment outcomes, than those who received conventional psychosocial program.

Setting

The training modules were developed at a University lab in Hong Kong. Where the study took place was not clear.

Sample

The study sample included 40 people from Hong Kong with mild (N=20)and moderate (N=20) traumatic brain injury. Participants were randomly assigned to one of the two study groups.

Data Collection

The Wisconsin Card Sorting Test and the Tower of London Test were administered to participants. In addition, the Vocational Cognitive Rating Scale was completed by the participant's case manager or supervisor of a rehabilitation facility or center. After the pretest each participant started either the virtual or psychosocial training. The content and structure of the two programs were similar. Each included an introduction to training objectives, training in specific vocational skills and practice and a review of those skills. The virtual program was interactive in nature. The psycho educational vocational training system included a training manual and was delivered under the guidance of a trainer. Post test were also conducted on the previously cited measures. Information about the participants employment status was collected at one, three and six month intervals. Statistical analysis were performed using SPSS for Windows Version 17.

Control

The control condition was traditional psycho-educational training.

Findings

There was no significant differences in the participants in screening criteria or baseline of outcomes between the virtual training and psycho education program. Those who participated in the virtual training showed improvements in selective cognitive functioning. However, the training did not transfer to functional real world outcomes, as indicated by limited success in vocational outcomes. The virtual training was more cost effective than workshop based training.

Conclusions

Virtual reality training may improve memory functioning and have other applications for vocational rehabilitation. More research is needed.

URL

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23662639

Disabilities

Traumatic brain injury (TBI)

Populations

Asian

Outcomes

Employment acquisition

NIDILRR Funded

Yes

Research Design

Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs)

Peer Reviewed

Yes