Project Leader: Dr. Bibianna Bałaj
Diagnosis and Training of Spatial Orientation
Our interdisciplinary research team focused on spatial orientation in older adults brings together experts in psychology, cognitive sciences, geriatrics, and computer science. We concentrate on diagnosing spatial abilities and early detection of dementia-related impairments—in the context of navigation (Goodroe et al., 2025), gait (Ali et al., 2025), and balance (Wang et al., 2025). We study how these abilities decline with age or neurodegenerative diseases, as well as how they can be trained (Yang et al., 2025; Zhao et al., 2025). Psychological research allows us to contextualize older adults’ health more broadly—not only physical health but also assessment of cognitive decline and compensatory strategies in navigating the environment. Our goal is to integrate a research team dedicated to spatial orientation and, through practical applications and industry collaboration, develop diagnostic and training tools for individuals experiencing declines in these skills.
Spatial Orientation (SO; Rieser et al., 2012) is a cognitive function that integrates sensory input, attention, memory, imagination, and motor planning, enabling effective navigation in the environment. Spatial orientation is a fundamental everyday skill, and its deterioration significantly reduces quality of life. In older adults, spatial orientation deficits are common and associated with changes in brain regions (Hanseeuw et al., 2023; Nelson & Jicha, 2023), neural networks, and their functioning (Antonenko et al., 2019). Aging leads to atrophy (Pawlaczyk et al., 2024), which hinders learning new environments. Hippocampal degradation impairs allocentric, map-based navigation, while decreased parietal cortex function reduces spatial awareness and egocentric navigation (Boccia et al., 2014). Aging also weakens resting-state and attentional networks, reducing navigation efficiency (Grady, 2012).
We will conduct longitudinal diagnostics using:
- Psychophysiology – fMRI, EEG, GSR, EMG; eye-tracking (ET), motion sensors, postural measurements (Sánchez-Escudero et al., 2024)
- Neuropsychological assessment
- Behavioral measures – SO, navigation performance (Tragantzopoulou & Giannouli, 2024; eye-tracking: Shah et al., 2025)
- Self-report – egocentric and allocentric navigation, subjective cognitive complaints, depression, fear of falling
No universal training fits everyone. We plan to develop a full training repertoire (Canapa et al., 2025; Fricke et al., 2022), from which individualized training variants will be selected based on precise diagnostics (Tragantzopoulou & Giannouli, 2024). Understanding the neural basis of spatial orientation (SO) and compensatory strategies will allow the development of training tools in environments approximating real-life scenarios (using VR; Young et al., 2025). Route-learning exercises will enhance cognitive flexibility (Mitolo et al., 2017). Biofeedback training may improve balance (Lim et al., 2016), and multisensory training (visual, olfactory, auditory) will strengthen spatial memory. Using body-centered analogies improves mental rotation abilities in older adults (Muto et al., 2023). Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) over the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) and parietal cortex has shown promising results in enhancing spatial orientation. Neurofeedback training can improve hippocampal-prefrontal network connectivity. A customized scoring system will allow monitoring of training effects and motivate participants via gamification mechanisms (Vermeir et al., 2020).