Pre-protocol of the Virtual Spatial Configuration Task (VSCT): A Novel Virtual Reality-Based Tool for Assessing Cognitive Map Formation Abilities

<ns4:p>This study proposes the validation of the Virtual Spatial Configuration Task (VSCT), a novel task designed to evaluate cognitive map formation abilities in participants. Addressing a notable gap in spatial cognition research, particularly in the assessment of higher-level spatial abilities in 3D environments, the VSCT offers a virtual reality (VR) approach that allows users to explore and recall spatial relationships between landmarks. This task is particularly innovative for populations with impaired mobility, as it simplifies navigation by restricting movement to rotational exploration, thus improving accessibility and reducing motion sickness. Furthermore, the VSCT could serve a dual purpose: assessing spatial orientation skills while also providing a platform for training and improving these skills post-injury. The potential applications of this tool extend to neurorehabilitation and other therapeutic interventions, offering an engaging, immersive method for enhancing spatial abilities.</ns4:p>