What memory and attention activities can involve
Activities may ask the person to:
- remember a short instruction
- find the object that matches the instruction
- continue a task after a prompt
- ignore irrelevant objects
- stay with a sequence
- repeat a task with one changed rule
- return to the goal after a distraction
The activity should not reduce memory or attention to a simple score. The useful material is how the person approached the task and what you noticed.
Activity examples
| Activity | What the person does | What can vary |
|---|---|---|
| Remember the target | Finds an item after hearing an instruction | Instruction length, delay, prompts |
| Stay with the rule | Sorts objects using a rule | Rule clarity, distractors, object number |
| Return to task | Continues after a prompt or interruption | Prompt timing, task length |
| Find and compare | Finds one object then compares it with another | Visual load, object similarity |
| Repeat with change | Repeats a task with one altered instruction | Change size, support level |
Therapist review questions
After the activity, you may consider:
- Was the instruction understood?
- Was it remembered long enough for the task?
- Did the person stay with the activity?
- Did visual load affect the task?
- Were distractors selected?
- Did prompts support continuation?
- Should the next activity be shorter or more structured?
How VR can change the task
In VR, memory and attention activities can involve space and interaction. A person may need to remember the target while searching a scene, keep track of a rule while sorting objects, or continue a task after looking around.
This can make the activity feel more active than a worksheet or screen task. It also gives you more concrete moments to discuss.
Designing memory and attention challenge
Memory and attention demands can be adjusted carefully. You can change:
- the length of the instruction
- the delay before action
- the number of objects
- the amount of visual clutter
- whether distractors are similar
- how often prompts are offered
- whether the task repeats or changes
The aim is not to create a trick task. The aim is to create a clear activity where you can see how the person approaches the demand.
Signs the task may need simplifying
You may simplify if:
- the instruction is not understood
- the person cannot start the task
- distractors overwhelm the activity
- repeated prompts are needed immediately
- the person becomes frustrated or fatigued
- there is no useful review point because the task was too unclear
Simplifying is not a failure. It is part of therapist-led activity use.
How CorteXR Studio fits
CorteXR Studio includes immersive activities that can involve memory, attention, visual search, sequencing, sorting, prompts, and activity review.
Studio does not diagnose, assess, monitor, treat, or measure memory or attention. It provides structured activity material for therapist-led sessions.
For more activity categories, see the Studio activity library.
Related Studio resources
- Functional cognition activities for OTs
- Visual search activities for adults
- Sequencing and planning activities for adults
- VR occupational therapy activities
Practical takeaway
Memory and attention activities need careful design because they can become unclear quickly. A useful task should have a clear instruction, manageable visual demand, and a prompt plan.
If you cannot explain what the person is supposed to remember or attend to, the activity is not ready. If the task is too visually busy, the useful review point may be lost. Studio activities should make the demand visible enough to discuss.
When to use memory and attention activities
Use these activities when you want a task where the person must hold an instruction, stay with a goal, or respond to a prompt over time.
They may be less suitable if the person is still learning the headset, if the instruction is too long, or if the scene is visually overwhelming. The task should be short enough that you can understand what happened.
What to review next
Review whether the instruction was understood, whether prompts helped, whether the task should be shortened, and whether a simpler activity family would create a clearer session.
Example first session
A first memory and attention activity might use one short instruction: find the blue item, place the cup on the shelf, or sort only the round objects. The person completes the activity while you observe whether the instruction is understood and held long enough to guide action.
The next version might use the same activity with a slightly longer instruction, a small delay, or one added distractor. If the first task is unclear, you can simplify by reducing the number of objects or repeating the instruction.
The activity should create a clear review point. If you cannot say what the person was asked to remember or attend to, the task needs to be redesigned.
FAQ
What are memory and attention activities?
They are activities that ask the person to hold instructions, stay with a task, notice relevant information, manage distractors, or return to a goal.
Why use VR for these activities?
VR can make the activity spatial and interactive, with objects, scenes, prompts, and repeatable task variation.
Can these activities be graded?
They can often be varied through instruction length, prompts, delay, visual load, object number, and task complexity.
Does Studio treat memory or attention difficulties?
No. Studio is non-medical activity software for therapist-led sessions. It does not provide treatment, diagnosis, assessment, monitoring, or outcome measurement.
Explore CorteXR Studio
Explore Studio activities for memory, attention, and task behaviour.
Explore the activity library
Book a Studio walkthrough
Studio note: CorteXR Studio is non-medical activity software for therapist-led sessions. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, monitor, prevent, or alleviate any disease, injury, or impairment.