The effect of virtual reality (VR)‐based intervention program on brain and cognition in older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI)

Abstract

AbstractBackgroundGiven the current lack of evidence for intervention and disease‐modifying treatment for Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia, exploring new interventions is important. VR interventions have increasingly gained popularity in psychotherapy and behavioral therapy, and the potential of VR based interventions to improve cognition are also being explored. However, the evidences regarding its effect on dementia are quite ambiguous. Therefore, we aimed to synthesize the effects of VR interventions for older adults with MCI/ Mild dementia.MethodSeventy‐five subjects, with mean age 72.5±5.32 years (mean ± standard deviation), participated in this study. The subjects were randomly assigned to either control or VR intervention groups. The intervention group performed series of 4 types of VR based cognitive training program for 6 weeks. Three sessions were held per week and each session lasted for 90 minutes. Cognitive function was assessed with Mini mental state examination (MMSE) test, Trail making test (TMT) A & B, and Digit symbol substitute test. Resting state EEG was measured in eyes open and eyes closed condition for 5 minutes each with 19 channel wireless EEG device. Socio‐demographic characteristics data like education, age, and smoking, and physical function data like short physical performance battery (SPPB), gait speed, were also acquired.ResultThe scores on TMT B improved in intervention group after 6 weeks of VR training compared to control group. The intervention group, in resting state EEG, showed improved theta to beta ratio (TBR) in frontal region of the brain.ConclusionVR intervention is useful in individuals with MCI or mild dementia and these findings demonstrate that VR‐intervention program is useful to improve cognitive and brain function, and physical function and gait speed in patients with cognitive decline. In future, longer and broader VR‐based studies are required to unfold a path to magnify the benefits of VR‐intervention for improving cognitive functions.