Cervical spine mobility assessment is crucial in rehabilitation to monitor patient progress. This study introduces the DidRen VR test, a virtual reality (VR) adaptation of the conventional DidRen laser test, aimed at evaluating cervical spine mobility.

We conducted a cross-sectional study involving fifty healthy participants that underwent the DidRen VR test. The satisfaction of Fitts’ law within this VR adaptation was examined and we analyzed the effects of age and sex on the sensorimotor performance metrics.

Our findings confirm that Fitts’ law is satisfied, demonstrating a predictable relationship between movement time and the index of difficulty, which suggest that the DidRen VR test can effectively simulate real-world conditions. A clear influence of age and sex on performance was observed, highlighting significant differences in movement efficiency and accuracy across demographics, which may necessitate personalized assessment strategies in clinical rehabilitation practices.

The DidRen VR test presents an effective tool for assessing cervical spine mobility, validated by Fitts’ law. It offers a viable alternative to real-world method, providing precise control over test conditions and enhanced engagement for participants. Since age and sex significantly affect sensorimotor performance, personalized assessments are essential. Further research is recommended to explore the applicability of the DidRen VR test in clinical settings and among patients with neck pain.

The authors have declared no competing interest.

This study was funded by :1) the First Haute-Ecole program, project no1610401, DYSKIMOT, in partnership with OMT-Skills (http://omtskills.be/, accessed on 12 March 2022).2) the European Regional Development Fund: Interreg FWVl 4.7.360 NOMADe.

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Ethics Committee of the University of Reims Champagne Ardenne gave ethical approval for this work with the approbation number 2022008.

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