Graduation Semester and Year
Spring 2025
Language
English
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy in Computer Science
Department
Computer Science and Engineering
First Advisor
Fillia Makedon
Abstract
Executive functions (EFs) are higher-order cognitive processes that include working memory, inhibitory control, and cognitive flexibility. These higher-order processes facilitate the achievement of goal-directed behavior and enable both adaptive decision-making and emotional regulation. Traditional EF assessment tools depend on static pen-and-paper tasks or basic computer-based tasks, which fail to capture real-world cognitive complexity and dynamics. Some of these assessment tools are specifically geared towards children or older adults, while others are more generic and designed to be used for people of all ages. This dissertation addresses these limitations by introducing iExec: The Immersive Executive Functions Assessment System, which functions as an innovative cognitive assessment platform that uses Virtual Reality (VR), is grounded in embodied cognition principles, and specifically targeted to the young adult population. The iExec system is engaging, easy to use, affordable, scalable, and can automatically compute performance metrics in real time without the need for an administrator or trained personnel.
The assessment tasks of the iExec system are based on the Embodied Cognition (EC) principle, which states that cognition is fundamentally shaped by the body’s interactions with the environment. The iExec system provides immersive tasks which require cognitively demanding physical movements and these immersive tasks in the iExec system are adapted from the Automated Test of Embodied Cognition (ATEC) framework. The combination of EC principles with Virtual Reality technology creates authentic assessments through simulation of real-world cognitive-motor interactions instead of standard abstract tasks.
The iExec system aims to provide cognitive assessment solutions for young adults who represent an underserved group in current research. The iExec system targets cognitive and behavioral demands that matter to young adults, unlike traditional tools, which focus on children and seniors. In this dissertation, we first provide the studies that led to the development of the iExec system. We also provide a comprehensive overview of the iExec system and establish the validity, usability, task load of the system, and impact of the system on an individual’s cognitive fatigue through a comprehensive user study.
Keywords
Virtual Reality, Cognitive Assessment, Executive Functions
Disciplines
Computer Engineering | Other Computer Engineering
License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Recommended Citation
Pavel, Hamza Reza, "IMMERSIVE EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONS ASSESSMENT SYSTEM (IEXEC): INTEGRATING EMBODIED COGNITION AND VIRTUAL REALITY" (2025). Computer Science and Engineering Dissertations. 411.
https://mavmatrix.uta.edu/cse_dissertations/411