Dynamic Assessment of Everyday Communication using VR

Imagine: you are on vacation in France. You are standing at a bakery with 15 people behind you in line. You feel the time pressure and therefore you are at a loss for words: you cannot convey the message properly. For people with aphasia, this is the daily reality.

Developing a proof-of-concept for a tool to 'measure' daily communication using virtual reality (VR). VR can simulate dynamic, complex communication situations in a very controlled manner that resemble the real world. It enables the simulation of realistic communicative interactions between a person with aphasia and a computer-generated avatar, including verbal and non-verbal behavior. It also allows for the manipulation of factors, such as time pressure.

Reliable diagnostic and treatment protocols help people with aphasia communicate better and participate in society. However, the (clinical) testing of everyday communication skills remains a challenge. There is an urgent need for a reliable, ecologically valid instrument to test everyday communication skills, or functional communication ability.

A proof-of-concept of a tool that captures daily communication using VR.

01 May 2023 - 01 April 2025

The tool will be developed in co-creation with people with aphasia and speecht and language therapists.

This project contributes to better and more reliable diagnostics for speech therapy practice and education.

The Dutch Research Council (NWO), Dutch National Research Agenda, Small projects for NWA routes 21/22, NeuroLabNL: the ultimate living lab for brain, cognition and behavioural Research.