Abstract
This study aimed to investigate the effects of semi-immersive virtual reality-based cognitive training (VRCT) combined with locomotor activity on cognitive function, balance, and gait ability in older adults. Eighteen community-dwelling older adults participated in this study. Subjects who met the selection criteria were assigned to an experimental group (n = 9) and a control group (n = 9). The experimental group received VRCT combined with locomotor activity for 30 min a day, three times a week, for 6 weeks. The control group received tabletop activity-based cognitive training for the same amount of time. Before and after the training, the Korean Mini-Mental State Examination (K-MMSE), Trail Making Test (TMT; A and B), and Digit Span Test (DST; forward and backward) were used to evaluate cognitive function; and the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test and 10-m Walking Test (10MWT) were used to evaluate the improvement in the balance and gait ability parameters. After the intervention, the experimental group showed a significantly greater improvement in the TMT-A (p = 0.045) and DST-backward (p = 0.012) scores compared with the control group. Regarding the gait ability variable, the experimental group showed a significant improvement in the 10MWT test (p = 0.001). This study confirmed that semi-immersive VRCT combined with locomotor activity is useful for improving cognitive function and gait ability in older adults. Therefore, VRCT combined with locomotor activity can be used as a simultaneous intervention for cognitive rehabilitation and functional capacity improvement in older adults.
Highlights
Aging in humans is usually accompanied by typical structural and neurophysiological changes in the brain and variable degrees of cognitive decline [1]
This study investigated the effectiveness of semi-immersive virtual reality-based cognitive training (VRCT) combined with locomotor activity at improving cognitive function, balance, and gait ability in communitydwelling older adults
Our results showed that VRCT combined with locomotor activity was more effective than conventional therapy for cognitive function at improving certain aspects of complex attention, capacity of working memory in cognitive function, and gait speed in the locomotor ability of the subjects
Summary
Aging in humans is usually accompanied by typical structural and neurophysiological changes in the brain and variable degrees of cognitive decline [1]. Cognitive frailty is emerging as one of the greatest health threats of the 21st century, and as life expectancy increases, the prevalence of cognitive decline and dementia is increasing [2]. Cognitive rehabilitation approaches are important for maintaining and improving cognitive health and preventing further functional decline in older adults [4]. Aging is a major challenge for the healthcare system, especially with regard to the maintenance of functional capacity and independence, and the expansion of the framework of rehabilitation professionals [5]. Gait instability and imbalance cause major public health problems such as falls and reduced social autonomy; they should be considered important for improving the health and quality of life of older adults [7]
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