An observational study in Cognitive Function, Neuroplasticity and Motor Skills, sponsored by Bahçeşehir University. Completed at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye). Open to participants aged 17 Years to 35 Years, including healthy volunteers. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2025-11-21.
Sponsored by Bahçeşehir University · Observational
This observational study examined how long-term cultural background is associated with differences in cognitive and motor learning within a virtual reality environment. Forty-three healthy university students participated in four days of standardized assessment procedures involving cognitive testing, fine-motor evaluation, and performance on a virtual reality (VR) task. Participants were classified into two pre-existing groups based on long-term cultural exposure: a Home group (lived mainly in their native country) and an Abroad group (lived abroad for at least ten years). All participants completed the same assessment procedures. The study observed natural variations in cognitive performance, motor coordination, and VR learning progression across sessions.
This observational study examined how long-term cultural background is associated with differences in cognitive and motor learning within a virtual reality (VR) environment. The study used a case-control design based on naturally existing groups. Participants were not assigned to conditions. Instead, they were classified into two groups according to their long-term cultural exposure: a Home group (lived primarily in their native country for at least ten years) and an Abroad group (lived abroad for at least ten years).
All participants followed the exact same schedule and attended the study sessions on four fixed days: Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and the following Monday. This controlled scheduling ensured that all participants experienced the same time intervals between sessions, eliminating variability due to inconsistent spacing.
During Day 1, participants completed baseline assessments, including:
CogniFit cognitive battery, evaluating attention, memory, processing speed, and executive functions
Purdue Pegboard Test, assessing fine-motor coordination
IFIS scale (Index of Fit Self-Perception) to assess physical fitness
Cultural Intelligence Scale (CQS) to measure cultural intelligence
After completing the baseline assessments on Day 1, participants performed the standardized VR learning task (Beat Saber).
On Days 2 and 3 (Wednesday and Friday), participants completed only the VR Beat Saber task. These sessions were used to measure progression of visuomotor learning, accuracy, speed, and performance over time.
On Day 4 (the following Monday), participants again completed:
CogniFit cognitive battery
Purdue Pegboard Test
The VR Beat Saber task
Repeating these tests on Day 4 allowed the study to evaluate changes in cognitive performance and motor coordination across the study period, as well as overall VR learning progression.
All procedures and assessments were identical for both groups. The study did not manipulate behavior or deliver interventions; instead, it observed naturally occurring differences in learning and performance across participants with different long-term cultural backgrounds. This design allowed the analysis of how cultural exposure may relate to cognitive adaptation, motor learning, and VR-based task progression. No biospecimens were collected.
Bahçeşehir University is the lead sponsor of 117 studies on the registry; 22 are open to participants now.
Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.
Healthy university students aged 17-35. Participants were divided into two cohorts based on long-term cultural exposure: Home group (lived in their home country for at least ten years) and Abroad group (lived abroad for at least ten years). All participants were fluent in English and completed four days of cognitive assessments and VR gameplay sessions.
Exclusion Criteria:
Participants who lived for at least ten years in their home country with no long-term intercultural exposure. All participants followed the same standardized assessment procedure, including cognitive testing, motor coordination testing, and virtual reality (VR) task performance. No interventions were assigned; the study compared natural learning differences between pre-existing cultural groups.
Behavioral: Virtual reality beat saber training and cognitive and motor assessment
Participants who lived abroad for at least ten years with long-term intercultural exposure. All participants completed the same standardized assessment procedure, identical to the Home group. No experimental intervention or assignment occurred.
Behavioral: Virtual reality beat saber training and cognitive and motor assessment
All participants completed the same four-day assessment procedure consisting of cognitive evaluation (Cognitive Assessment Battery-Professional \[CAB PRO\]), fine-motor coordination testing (Purdue Pegboard Test), and performance on a virtual reality (VR) Beat Saber task using the Meta Quest 2 headset. These procedures were administered equally to all participants. No interventions were assigned; the study observed natural performance differences between pre-existing cultural groups.
Cognitive Performance Score (CogniFit CAB PRO)
Computerized cognitive assessment measuring attention, memory, reasoning, and executive functions. Composite cognitive score is calculated using the Cognitive Assessment Battery-Professional \[CAB PRO\]) battery.
Time frame: Day 1 and Day 4
Motor Dexterity (Purdue Pegboard Test)
Fine-motor coordination assessed using the Purdue Pegboard Test, including dominant hand, non-dominant hand, both hands, and assembly scores.
Time frame: Day 1 and Day 4
VR Gameplay Accuracy (Beat Saber Cut Accuracy)
Percentage of targets cut correctly during Beat Saber gameplay, reflecting visuomotor precision and learning progression.
Time frame: Day 1 to Day 4
VR Gameplay Performance (Beat Saber Combo Length)
Maximum consecutive successfully hit targets ("combo streak") recorded during each virtual reality session to evaluate learning and consistency.
Time frame: Day 1 to Day 4
This study is completed, as verified in Nov 2025. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.
Get an email when the registry record changes — status, dates, results — or when someone posts here.
Sign in to followQuestions and observations about this study, from anyone following it. Not medical advice, and not a channel to the study team — their contact details are on the registry record.
Sign in to join the discussion. Reading takes no account; posting does. You choose a display name, and a pseudonym is the default.
Nothing here yet. If you are running this trial, taking part in it, or weighing whether to, this is the place to say so.
Bahçeşehir University