ARENA:a novel device to evaluate spatial and imagery skills through sounds

Spatial memory and imagery are high-level cognitive functions influencing everyday life. These processes are ascribed to the working memory system, devoted to the simultaneous maintenance and process of information. Despite the importance of the working memory system on cognitive development, quantitative assessment methods for cognitive deficits in case of visual impairments are lacking. The goal of this work is to present a device we developed for assessing spatial memory and imagery processes in visually impaired children and adults. The device, called Arena, allows to study these specific cognitive processes exploiting the auditory channel. Arena is a set of 25 speakers arranged in the form of a matrix, covered by tactile sensors. The aim of this innovative technology is to design novel ways and clinical procedures to train and study memory along with the ability to properly built spatial mental representations of auditory items.