Virtual reality as a tool for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cognitive impairment in the elderly: a systematic review

Abstract

In recent decades, research into the effects of virtual reality on different neurological disorders has increased exponentially. Yet, the literature focused on the beneficial effects of virtual reality on cognitive impairment in elderly people is limited. To explore the application of virtual reality as a preventive, diagnostic or therapeutic tool for cognitive impairment in elderly people. A literature search was conducted in the Medline and Web of Science databases, including all the literature published from their inception up until December 2019. Of the 270 publications found, 15 met the inclusion criteria: two examined the effect of virtual reality as a tool for the prevention of cognitive impairment, six looked at its possible applications in diagnosis, and seven explored its effectiveness as a form of treatment. There is evidence of the potential effect of virtual reality as a preventive strategy against the development of cognitive impairment in elderly people. There is also evidence of its applicability as a diagnostic tool for detecting the development of mild cognitive impairment or dementia, and of its effectiveness as a treatment, since it improves the cognitive functioning of elderly people with cognitive impairment. Further studies are needed that are more methodologically robust and have long follow-up times in order to examine the real impact of virtual reality and to be able to generalise its application in different areas of the management of cognitive impairment.