By using slide-based task in a laboratory setting, previous studies have found that activation of the rostral prefrontal cortex (BA10) is related to prospective memory performance. In this present study, we used immersive virtual reality (VR) technology to measure PM performance in a real-life task in a simulated virtual environment. Functional near-infrared spectroscopy was used simultaneously to record the rostral prefrontal cortex activities of the subjects. By comparing the data against the ones from the slide-based task, the result suggested that the activation of BA10 in the VR tasks were greater than the one in the slide-based tasks, and the VR tasks have the potential to identify the particular location of BA10 that is connected to the PM performance in our daily lives.

In order to measure real life prospective memory (PM) ability in laboratory setting, previous studies have used photograph-based, video-based and virtual reality (VR)-based to simulate real life environment. In this study, we used the Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS) to record participants' brain activities when they are performing PM tasks in immersive VR environment. 10 participants were asked to perform PM tasks in a virtual environment while wearing a VR headset and an fNIRS device. By comparing the hemodynamic changes of rostral prefrontal cortex (BA10) of the PM component and the ongoing component, the result shows that VR PM task can induce the activation of BA10. In addition, by making use of the fNIRS technique, this study provides a feasible way to measure BA10 activity in simulated real life environment using immersive VR device.

Prospective memory can maintain our ability to living independently and is important for our daily lives. Evaluation of prospective memory can reflect the severity of cognitive ability regression. Previous studies have developed slide based task and real-life based task to evaluate prospective memory capability in different conditions. As a new technology that can create a realistic test environment, immersive virtual reality (VR) has not yet been widely used in this area. We developed a real-life test environment using the immersive VR technology and asked the subjects to perform common shopping task in it. By comparing the results with the ones from slidebased task, we have demonstrated that immersive VR task has the potential to evaluate perspective memory more accurately in daily life condition.

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This study describes the development of a cervical traction therapy simulation model that evaluates two types of the traction positions, namely the sitting position and the inclined position. An anatomically correct human skeleton model and two mechanical traction device models were constructed in simulations using a physics engine. The anterior and posterior intervertebral separations were measured at both positions with a series of traction forces (60N to 200N) and traction angles (10˚ to 40˚). The result suggested that the sitting position caused the subject to lean forward and as a result led to excessive anterior compression when traction angle is over 20 degrees. The inclined position creates greater intervertebral separations on both the anterior and posterior sides than the sitting position. This suggests that the inclined position may be more effective in increasing intervertebral separation than the sitting position.