Ah Ma getting a brain-function check

Immersive virtual-reality software is the first local screening test of its kind for detecting mental ailments for older adults

(Left) Retired nurse Seah Ai Choo trying out the virtual-reality system to assess her cognitive function while being guided by medical student Lim Jie En at SingHealth Outram Polyclinic on Sept 28. (Left) In one scenario, users have to follow the ins
Retired nurse Seah Ai Choo trying out the virtual-reality system to assess her cognitive function while being guided by medical student Lim Jie En at SingHealth Outram Polyclinic on Sept 28. PHOTOS: CHONG JUN LIANG, SINGHEALTH POLYCLINICS
(Left) Retired nurse Seah Ai Choo trying out the virtual-reality system to assess her cognitive function while being guided by medical student Lim Jie En at SingHealth Outram Polyclinic on Sept 28. (Left) In one scenario, users have to follow the ins
Retired nurse Seah Ai Choo trying out the virtual-reality system to assess her cognitive function while being guided by medical student Lim Jie En at SingHealth Outram Polyclinic on Sept 28.
(Left) Retired nurse Seah Ai Choo trying out the virtual-reality system to assess her cognitive function while being guided by medical student Lim Jie En at SingHealth Outram Polyclinic on Sept 28. (Left) In one scenario, users have to follow the ins
In one scenario, users have to follow the instructions and press the correct lift buttons.
New: Gift this subscriber-only story to your friends and family

Wearing special eyewear, seniors had to complete tasks such as pressing the correct button on a virtual lift panel and keying in the correct sum of money to buy fruit.

It was part of a new immersive virtual-reality (VR) study designed in Singapore to detect mild cognitive impairment in seniors.

Already a subscriber? 

Read the full story and more at $9.90/month

Get exclusive reports and insights with more than 500 subscriber-only articles every month

Unlock these benefits

  • All subscriber-only content on ST app and straitstimes.com

  • Easy access any time via ST app on 1 mobile device

  • E-paper with 2-week archive so you won't miss out on content that matters to you

Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.

A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on November 04, 2020, with the headline Ah Ma getting a brain-function check. Subscribe