The Effectiveness of VR-Based Cognitive Training Program for Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Pilot Study
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Background and Purpose: Virtual reality (VR)-based cognitive training programs represent an emerging intervention for cognitive impairment. This pilot study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of a VR-based cognitive training program in patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Methods: Thirty-two patients diagnosed with MCI according to Peterson’s criteria participated in a 12-week VR training program, consisting of twice-weekly 50-minute sessions. Comprehensive assessments were conducted at baseline and after the intervention, including neuropsychological tests, questionnaires for depression, anxiety, quality of life, and dizziness severity. Caregivers evaluated patients’ daily living activities and neurobehavioral symptoms. Results: Twenty-eight patients completed the program (87.5% women, mean age 73.21 years). Post-intervention analyses revealed significant improvements in both total composite and memory-specific scores on neuropsychological tests. No significant changes were observed in depression, anxiety, dizziness severity, neuropsychiatric symptoms, or daily living activities. Importantly, functional neuroimaging demonstrated statistically significant increases in connectivity among the bilateral hippocampus, parahippocampal gyrus, and amygdala, regions essential for memory and emotional processing. Conclusions: This pilot study demonstrates that VR-based cognitive training may be a feasible therapeutic approach for cognitive impairment. The observed improvements in neuropsychological test scores and enhanced brain connectivity in memory-related regions suggest potential benefits for MCI patients. Further research with control group and larger sample sizes is warranted to confirm these findings and distinguish intervention effects from natural learning or test-retest effects.
Abstract
Background and Purpose: Virtual reality (VR)-based cognitive training programs represent an emerging intervention for cognitive impairment. This pilot study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of a VR-based cognitive training program in patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Methods: Thirty-two patients diagnosed with MCI according to Peterson’s criteria participated in a 12-week VR training program, consisting of twice-weekly 50-minute sessions. Comprehensive assessments were conducted at baseline and after the intervention, including neuropsychological tests, questionnaires for depression, anxiety, quality of life, and dizziness severity. Caregivers evaluated patients’ daily living activities and neurobehavioral symptoms. Results: Twenty-eight patients completed the program (87.5% women, mean age 73.21 years). Post-intervention analyses revealed significant improvements in both total composite and memory-specific scores on neuropsychological tests. No significant changes were observed in depression, anxiety, dizziness severity, neuropsychiatric symptoms, or daily living activities. Importantly, functional neuroimaging demonstrated statistically significant increases in connectivity among the bilateral hippocampus, parahippocampal gyrus, and amygdala, regions essential for memory and emotional processing. Conclusions: This pilot study demonstrates that VR-based cognitive training may be a feasible therapeutic approach for cognitive impairment. The observed improvements in neuropsychological test scores and enhanced brain connectivity in memory-related regions suggest potential benefits for MCI patients. Further research with control group and larger sample sizes is warranted to confirm these findings and distinguish intervention effects from natural learning or test-retest effects.