Study of Brain Activity During Spatial Navigation Using Virtual Reality in Children and Adolescents With and Without Cerebral Palsy Aged 8 to 17 Years

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are investigating the brain mechanisms involved in spatial navigation skills in children and adolescents aged 8 to 17 years. These skills help individuals find their way, locate objects, and remember their positions in both familiar and new environments. The study focuses on comparing typically developing children with those affected by cerebral palsy CP to better understand differences in navigation abilities and how they relate to the condition. Participants will complete a navigation task within an immersive virtual reality environment while their brain activity is recorded using an electroencephalogram EEG. They will wear virtual reality viewers and an EEG cap as they navigate a five-way maze to find a treasure across 30 attempts, each lasting up to two minutes. Before this, their cognitive and spatial navigation skills will be assessed using tests like the Raven test, Corsi test, and the maze sub-test of the WISC-III. During the study, researchers will evaluate brain signal patterns and navigation performance from the single session of EEG recording and task completion. The study will measure power spectral density and navigation success to understand neural activity linked to navigation skills. This research aims to improve knowledge about spatial navigation in childhood and CP, potentially guiding future rehabilitation approaches. Participation includes one visit with assessments and virtual reality testing.

Cortical Correlates of Spatial Navigation Skills in an Immersive Virtual Reality Environment