To characterize the attention deficits in one-hundred-fifteen participants, comprising two
types of clinical profiles (affective and anxiety disorder), through a test of continuous VR execution.
Method: Three tests (i.e., Nesplora Aquarium, BDI, and STAI) were used to obtain a standardized
measure of attention, as well as the existence and severity of depression and anxiety, respectively.
Results: Significant differences (CI = 95%) were found between the control group and the group
with depression, in variables related to the speed of visual processing (p = 0.008) in the absence
of distractors (p = 0.041) and during the first dual execution task (p = 0.011). For scores related to
sustained attention, patients with depression and those with anxiety did not differ from controls.
Our results suggest attentional deficits in both clinical populations when performing a continuous
performance test that involved the participation of the central executive system of working memory.
