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Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience Sep 2019In this targeted review, we summarize current knowledge on substance-use disorder (SUD)-related cognitive deficits, the link between these deficits and clinical... (Review)
Review
In this targeted review, we summarize current knowledge on substance-use disorder (SUD)-related cognitive deficits, the link between these deficits and clinical outcomes, and the cognitive training, remediation, and pharmacological approaches that have the potential to rescue cognition. We conclude that: (i) people with SUDs have moderate deficits in memory, attention, executive functions, and decision-making (including reward expectancy, valuation, and learning); (ii) deficits in higher-order executive functions and decision-making are significant predictors of relapse; (iii) cognitive training programs targeting reward-related appetitive biases, cognitive remediation strategies targeting goal-based decision-making, and pharmacotherapies targeting memory, attention, and impulsivity have potential to rescue SUD-related cognitive deficits. We suggest avenues for future research, including developing brief, clinically oriented harmonized cognitive testing suites to improve individualized prediction of treatment outcomes; computational modeling that can achieve deep phenotyping of cognitive subtypes likely to respond to different interventions; and phenotype-targeted cognitive, pharmacological, and combined interventions. We conclude with a tentative model of neuroscience-informed precision medicine. .
Topics: Behavior, Addictive; Central Nervous System Stimulants; Cognition; Cognition Disorders; Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; Humans; Substance-Related Disorders
PubMed: 31749652
DOI: 10.31887/DCNS.2019.21.3/gdom -
European Journal of Physical and... Feb 2020A combination of physical and cognitive training appears to be the effective intervention to improve cognitive function in older adults with mild cognitive impairment... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
Using virtual reality-based training to improve cognitive function, instrumental activities of daily living and neural efficiency in older adults with mild cognitive impairment.
BACKGROUND
A combination of physical and cognitive training appears to be the effective intervention to improve cognitive function in older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Computing technology such as virtual reality (VR) may have the potential to assist rehabilitation in shaping brain health. However, little is known about the potential of VR-based physical and cognitive training designed as an intervention for cognition and brain activation in elderly patients with MCI. Moreover, whether a VR program designed around functional tasks can improve their instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) requires further investigation.
AIM
This study investigated the effects of 12 weeks of VR-based physical and cognitive training on cognitive function, brain activation and IADL and compared the VR intervention with combined physical and cognitive training.
DESIGN
A single-blinded randomized controlled trial.
SETTING
Communities and day care centers in Taipei, Taiwan.
POPULATION
Older adults with mild cognitive impairment.
METHODS
Thirty-four community-dwelling older adults with MCI were randomized into either a VR-based physical and cognitive training (VR) group or a combined physical and cognitive training (CPC) group for 36 sessions over 12 weeks. Participants were assessed for their cognitive function (global cognition, executive function and verbal memory) and IADL at pre- and postintervention. Changes in prefrontal cortex activation during the global cognition test were also captured by functional near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) to identify the potential mediating pathway of the intervention.
RESULTS
Both groups showed improved executive function and verbal memory (immediate recall). However, only the VR group showed significant improvements in global cognition (P<0.001), verbal memory (delayed recall, P=0.002), and IADL (P<0.001) after the intervention. The group × time interaction effects further demonstrated that IADL were more significantly improved with VR training than with CPC training (P=0.006). The hemodynamic data revealed decreased activation in prefrontal areas after training (P=0.0015), indicative of increased neural efficiency, in the VR-trained subjects.
CONCLUSIONS
VR-based physical and cognitive training improves cognitive function, IADL and neural efficiency in older adults with MCI.
CLINICAL REHABILITATION IMPACT
VR training could be implemented for older adults with MCI.
Topics: Activities of Daily Living; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Cognitive Dysfunction; Combined Modality Therapy; Disability Evaluation; Female; Humans; Male; Neuropsychological Tests; Physical Therapy Modalities; Virtual Reality
PubMed: 31615196
DOI: 10.23736/S1973-9087.19.05899-4 -
The Journal of Head Trauma...Moderate to severe traumatic brain injury causes significant cognitive impairments, including impairments in social cognition, the ability to recognize others' emotions,...
INTRODUCTION
Moderate to severe traumatic brain injury causes significant cognitive impairments, including impairments in social cognition, the ability to recognize others' emotions, and infer others' thoughts. These cognitive impairments can have profound negative effects on communication functions, resulting in a cognitive-communication disorder. Cognitive-communication disorders can significantly limit a person's ability to socialize, work, and study, and thus are critical targets for intervention. This article presents the updated INCOG 2.0 recommendations for management of cognitive-communication disorders. As social cognition is central to cognitive-communication disorders, this update includes interventions for social cognition.
METHODS
An expert panel of clinicians/researchers reviewed evidence published since 2014 and developed updated recommendations for interventions for cognitive-communication and social cognition disorders, a decision-making algorithm tool, and an audit tool for review of clinical practice.
RESULTS
Since INCOG 2014, there has been significant growth in cognitive-communication interventions and emergence of social cognition rehabilitation research. INCOG 2.0 has 9 recommendations, including 5 updated INCOG 2014 recommendations, and 4 new recommendations addressing cultural competence training, group interventions, telerehabilitation, and management of social cognition disorders. Cognitive-communication disorders should be individualized, goal- and outcome-oriented, and appropriate to the context in which the person lives and incorporate social communication and communication partner training. Group therapy and telerehabilitation are recommended to improve social communication. Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) should be offered to the person with severe communication disability and their communication partners should also be trained to interact using AAC. Social cognition should be assessed and treated, with a focus on personally relevant contexts and outcomes.
CONCLUSIONS
The INCOG 2.0 recommendations reflect new evidence for treatment of cognitive-communication disorders, particularly social interactions, communication partner training, group treatments to improve social communication, and telehealth delivery. Evidence is emerging for the rehabilitation of social cognition; however, the impact on participation outcomes needs further research.
Topics: Humans; Brain Injuries; Cognitive Training; Social Cognition; Cognition Disorders; Brain Injuries, Traumatic; Communication Disorders; Cognition; Communication
PubMed: 36594860
DOI: 10.1097/HTR.0000000000000835 -
Journal of Alzheimer's Disease : JAD 2022Female sex, subjective cognitive decline (SCD), and cardiovascular risk factors (CVRFs) are known risk factors for developing Alzheimer's disease (AD). We previously... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
BACKGROUND
Female sex, subjective cognitive decline (SCD), and cardiovascular risk factors (CVRFs) are known risk factors for developing Alzheimer's disease (AD). We previously demonstrated that yoga improved depression, resilience, memory and executive functions, increased hippocampal choline concentrations, and modulated brain connectivity in older adults with mild cognitive impairment.
OBJECTIVE
In this study (NCT03503669), we investigated brain gray matter volume (GMV) changes in older women with SCD and CVRFs following three months of yoga compared to memory enhancement training (MET).
METHODS
Eleven women (mean age = 61.45, SD = 6.58) with CVRF and SCD completed twelve weeks of Kundalini Yoga and Kirtan Kriya (KY + KK) while eleven women (mean age = 64.55, SD = 6.41) underwent MET. Anxiety, resilience, stress, and depression were assessed at baseline and 12 weeks, as were T1-weighted MRI scans (Siemens 3T Prisma scanner). We used Freesurfer 6.0 and tested group differences in GMV change, applying Monte-Carlo simulations with alpha = 0.05. Region-of-interest analysis was performed for hippocampus and amygdala.
RESULTS
Compared to KY + KK, MET showed reductions in GMV in left prefrontal, pre- and post-central, supramarginal, superior temporal and pericalcarine cortices, right paracentral, postcentral, superior and inferior parietal cortices, the banks of the superior temporal sulcus, and the pars opercularis. Right hippocampal volume increased after yoga but did not survive corrections.
CONCLUSION
Yoga training may offer neuroprotective effects compared to MET in preventing neurodegenerative changes and cognitive decline, even over short time intervals. Future analyses will address changes in functional connectivity in both groups.
Topics: Aged; Alzheimer Disease; Atrophy; Cognitive Dysfunction; Female; Gray Matter; Humans; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Yoga
PubMed: 35275541
DOI: 10.3233/JAD-215563 -
International Journal of Environmental... Nov 2022Declines in activities of daily living (ADL) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) performances due to cognitive impairments hinder mild cognitive... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Declines in activities of daily living (ADL) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) performances due to cognitive impairments hinder mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients' independent and safe daily lives. In order to prevent and treat this, several cognitive interventions have been implemented, but their ecological validity was not ensured due to that their contents are far from real life. Virtual reality (VR) can resemble real life with immersive stimuli, but there have been few studies confirming its ecological effects on ADL and IADL. Therefore, this study conducted a meta-analysis of VR-based cognitive training to investigate its ecological effects on ADL and IADL in MCI and AD patients. From February 2012 to February 2022, a search was conducted for articles published in PubMed, Cochrane, Science Direct, and Web of Science. Quality assessment was assessed by the PEDro scale, and the Cochrane Collaboration tool was used to assess risk of bias. Publication bias was assessed by Egger's regression. Five studies that met inclusion criteria were included in this study. The VR-based cognitive training showed significant effects on ADL and IADL in both MCI and AD patients. When comparing effects in each group, both MCI and AD patients showed significant effects on ADL and IADL, but MCI patients showed lower effects on ADL and IADL than AD patients. The results indicated that VR-based cognitive training would be beneficial to improve ADL and IADL in MCI and AD patients, suggesting that VR-based cognitive training is ecologically valid.
Topics: Humans; Activities of Daily Living; Alzheimer Disease; Cognitive Training; Cognitive Dysfunction; Virtual Reality; Neuropsychological Tests
PubMed: 36497946
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192315875 -
The Cochrane Database of Systematic... Feb 2020Approximately 60% to 80% of people with Parkinson's disease (PD) experience cognitive impairment that impacts on their quality of life. Cognitive decline is a core... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Approximately 60% to 80% of people with Parkinson's disease (PD) experience cognitive impairment that impacts on their quality of life. Cognitive decline is a core feature of the disease and can often present before the onset of motor symptoms. Cognitive training may be a useful non-pharmacological intervention that could help to maintain or improve cognition and quality of life for people with PD dementia (PDD) or PD-related mild cognitive impairment (PD-MCI).
OBJECTIVES
To determine whether cognitive training (targeting single or multiple domains) improves cognition in people with PDD and PD-MCI or other clearly defined forms of cognitive impairment in people with PD.
SEARCH METHODS
We searched the Cochrane Dementia and Cognitive Improvement Group Trials Register (8 August 2019), the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, and PsycINFO. We searched reference lists and trial registers, searched relevant reviews in the area and conference proceedings. We also contacted experts for clarifications on data and ongoing trials.
SELECTION CRITERIA
We included randomised controlled trials where the participants had PDD or PD-MCI, and where the intervention was intended to train general or specific areas of cognitive function, targeting either a single domain or multiple domains of cognition, and was compared to a control condition. Multicomponent interventions that also included motor or other elements were considered eligible.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
Two review authors independently screened titles, abstracts, and full-text articles for inclusion in the review. Two review authors also independently undertook extraction of data and assessment of methodological quality. We used GRADE methods to assess the overall quality of the evidence.
MAIN RESULTS
Seven studies with a total of 225 participants met the inclusion criteria for this review. All seven studies compared the effects of a cognitive training intervention to a control intervention at the end of treatment periods lasting four to eight weeks. Six studies included people with PD living in the community. These six studies recruited people with single-domain (executive) or multiple-domain mild cognitive impairment in PD. Four of these studies identified participants with MCI using established diagnostic criteria, and two included both people with PD-MCI and people with PD who were not cognitively impaired. One study recruited people with a diagnosis of PD dementia who were living in long-term care settings. The cognitive training intervention in three studies targeted a single cognitive domain, whilst in four studies multiple domains of cognitive function were targeted. The comparison groups either received no intervention or took part in recreational activities (sports, music, arts), speech or language exercises, computerised motor therapy, or motor rehabilitation combined with recreational activity. We found no clear evidence that cognitive training improved global cognition. Although cognitive training was associated with higher scores on global cognition at the end of treatment, the result was imprecise and not statistically significant (6 trials, 178 participants, standardised mean difference (SMD) 0.28, 95% confidence interval (CI) -0.03 to 0.59; low-certainty evidence). There was no evidence of a difference at the end of treatment between cognitive training and control interventions on executive function (5 trials, 112 participants; SMD 0.10, 95% CI -0.28 to 0.48; low-certainty evidence) or visual processing (3 trials, 64 participants; SMD 0.30, 95% CI -0.21 to 0.81; low-certainty evidence). The evidence favoured the cognitive training group on attention (5 trials, 160 participants; SMD 0.36, 95% CI 0.03 to 0.68; low-certainty evidence) and verbal memory (5 trials, 160 participants; SMD 0.37, 95% CI 0.04 to 0.69; low-certainty evidence), but these effects were less certain in sensitivity analyses that excluded a study in which only a minority of the sample were cognitively impaired. There was no evidence of differences between treatment and control groups in activities of daily living (3 trials, 67 participants; SMD 0.03, 95% CI -0.47 to 0.53; low-certainty evidence) or quality of life (5 trials, 147 participants; SMD -0.01, 95% CI -0.35 to 0.33; low-certainty evidence). There was very little information on adverse events. We considered the certainty of the evidence for all outcomes to be low due to risk of bias in the included studies and imprecision of the results. We identified six ongoing trials recruiting participants with PD-MCI, but no ongoing trials of cognitive training for people with PDD.
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
This review found no evidence that people with PD-MCI or PDD who receive cognitive training for four to eight weeks experience any important cognitive improvements at the end of training. However, this conclusion was based on a small number of studies with few participants, limitations of study design and execution, and imprecise results. There is a need for more robust, adequately powered studies of cognitive training before conclusions can be drawn about the effectiveness of cognitive training for people with PDD and PD-MCI. Studies should use formal criteria to diagnose cognitive impairments, and there is a particular need for more studies testing the efficacy of cognitive training in people with PDD.
Topics: Activities of Daily Living; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Cognitive Dysfunction; Dementia; Humans; Parkinson Disease; Quality of Life; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Task Performance and Analysis
PubMed: 32101639
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD011961.pub2 -
JAMA Network Open Jul 2023Exercise, cognitive training, and vitamin D may enhance cognition in older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
Effects of Exercise Alone or Combined With Cognitive Training and Vitamin D Supplementation to Improve Cognition in Adults With Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Randomized Clinical Trial.
IMPORTANCE
Exercise, cognitive training, and vitamin D may enhance cognition in older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI).
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether aerobic-resistance exercises would improve cognition relative to an active control and if a multidomain intervention including exercises, computerized cognitive training, and vitamin D supplementation would show greater improvements than exercise alone.
DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS
This randomized clinical trial (the SYNERGIC Study) was a multisite, double-masked, fractional factorial trial that evaluated the effects of aerobic-resistance exercise, computerized cognitive training, and vitamin D on cognition. Eligible participants were between ages 65 and 84 years with MCI enrolled from September 19, 2016, to April 7, 2020. Data were analyzed from February 2021 to December 2022.
INTERVENTIONS
Participants were randomized to 5 study arms and treated for 20 weeks: arm 1 (multidomain intervention with exercise, cognitive training, and vitamin D), arm 2 (exercise, cognitive training, and placebo vitamin D), arm 3 (exercise, sham cognitive training, and vitamin D), arm 4 (exercise, sham cognitive training, and placebo vitamin D), and arm 5 (control group with balance-toning exercise, sham cognitive training, and placebo vitamin D). The vitamin D regimen was a 10 000 IU dose 3 times weekly.
MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES
Primary outcomes were changes in ADAS-Cog-13 and Plus variant at 6 months.
RESULTS
Among 175 randomized participants (mean [SD] age, 73.1 [6.6] years; 86 [49.1%] women), 144 (82%) completed the intervention and 133 (76%) completed the follow-up (month 12). At 6 months, all active arms (ie, arms 1 through 4) with aerobic-resistance exercise regardless of the addition of cognitive training or vitamin D, improved ADAS-Cog-13 when compared with control (mean difference, -1.79 points; 95% CI, -3.27 to -0.31 points; P = .02; d = 0.64). Compared with exercise alone (arms 3 and 4), exercise and cognitive training (arms 1 and 2) improved the ADAS-Cog-13 (mean difference, -1.45 points; 95% CI, -2.70 to -0.21 points; P = .02; d = 0.39). No significant improvement was found with vitamin D. Finally, the multidomain intervention (arm 1) improved the ADAS-Cog-13 score significantly compared with control (mean difference, -2.64 points; 95% CI, -4.42 to -0.80 points; P = .005; d = 0.71). Changes in ADAS-Cog-Plus were not significant.
CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE
In this clinical trial, older adults with MCI receiving aerobic-resistance exercises with sequential computerized cognitive training significantly improved cognition, although some results were inconsistent. Vitamin D supplementation had no effect. Our findings suggest that this multidomain intervention may improve cognition and potentially delay dementia onset in MCI.
TRIAL REGISTRATION
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02808676.
Topics: Humans; Female; Aged; Male; Cognitive Training; Cognitive Dysfunction; Cognition; Vitamins; Vitamin D; Dietary Supplements
PubMed: 37471089
DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.24465 -
BMC Geriatrics Mar 2020The ability to walk and perform cognitive tasks simultaneously is a key aspect of daily life. Performance declines in these dual-tasks may be associated with early signs... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
Effects of simultaneous cognitive and aerobic exercise training on dual-task walking performance in healthy older adults: results from a pilot randomized controlled trial.
BACKGROUND
The ability to walk and perform cognitive tasks simultaneously is a key aspect of daily life. Performance declines in these dual-tasks may be associated with early signs of neurodegenerative disease and increased risk of falls. Thus, interventions to improve dual-task walking performance are of great interest for promoting healthy aging. Here, we present results of a pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT) to evaluate the effects of a simultaneous aerobic exercise and cognitive training intervention on dual-task walking performance in healthy older adults.
METHODS
Community-dwelling, healthy older adults were recruited to participate in a 12-week RCT. Participants were randomized into one of four groups (n = 74): 1) cognitive training (COG), 2) aerobic exercise (EX), 3) combined aerobic exercise and cognitive training (EXCOG), and 4) video-watching control (CON). The COG and EXCOG groups both used a tablet-based cognitive training program that challenged aspects of executive cognitive function, memory, and processing speed. Performance on a dual-task walking test (DTWT; serial subtraction during two-minute walk) was assessed by researchers blinded to groupings before the intervention, and at 6 and 12 weeks. We included all participants randomized with baseline measurements in an intention to treat analysis using linear mixed effects models.
RESULTS
We found a significant group by time interaction for cognitive performance on the DTWT (p = 0.039). Specifically, participants in the EXCOG, EX, and COG groups significantly improved on the cognitive aspect of the DTWT following the full 12-week intervention (p = 3.5e-7, p = 0.048, p = 0.048, respectively). The improvements in EXCOG were twice as large as in the other groups, and were significant at 6 weeks (p = 0.019). The CON group did not show a significant change in cognitive performance on the DTWT, and no group significantly altered dual-task gait measures following the intervention.
CONCLUSIONS
A simultaneous aerobic exercise and cognitive training intervention significantly improved cognitive performance during a DTWT in healthy older adults. Despite no change in DTWT gait measures, significant improvements in cognitive performance indicate that further investigation in a larger RCT is warranted.
TRIAL REGISTRATION
Clinicaltrials.gov, NCT04120792, Retrospectively Registered 08 October 2019.
Topics: Aged; Cognition; Exercise; Exercise Therapy; Female; Healthy Volunteers; Humans; Middle Aged; Neurodegenerative Diseases; Pilot Projects; Psychomotor Performance; Treatment Outcome; Walking
PubMed: 32122325
DOI: 10.1186/s12877-020-1484-5 -
Science Translational Medicine May 2023Transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) has attracted interest as a technique for causal investigations into how rhythmic fluctuations in brain neural... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) has attracted interest as a technique for causal investigations into how rhythmic fluctuations in brain neural activity influence cognition and for promoting cognitive rehabilitation. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of the effects of tACS on cognitive function across 102 published studies, which included 2893 individuals in healthy, aging, and neuropsychiatric populations. A total of 304 effects were extracted from these 102 studies. We found modest to moderate improvements in cognitive function with tACS treatment that were evident in several cognitive domains, including working memory, long-term memory, attention, executive control, and fluid intelligence. Improvements in cognitive function were generally stronger after completion of tACS ("offline" effects) than during tACS treatment ("online" effects). Improvements in cognitive function were greater in studies that used current flow models to optimize or confirm neuromodulation targets by stimulating electric fields generated in the brain by tACS protocols. In studies targeting multiple brain regions concurrently, cognitive function changed bidirectionally (improved or decreased) according to the relative phase, or alignment, of the alternating current in the two brain regions (in phase versus antiphase). We also noted improvements in cognitive function separately in older adults and in individuals with neuropsychiatric illnesses. Overall, our findings contribute to the debate surrounding the effectiveness of tACS for cognitive rehabilitation, quantitatively demonstrate its potential, and indicate further directions for optimal tACS clinical study design.
Topics: Humans; Aged; Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation; Cognition; Brain; Aging; Cognitive Training
PubMed: 37224229
DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.abo2044 -
Journal of Medical Internet Research May 2021Cognitive training can potentially prevent cognitive decline. However, the results of recent studies using semi-immersive virtual reality (VR)-assisted cognitive... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
Effect of Cognitive Training in Fully Immersive Virtual Reality on Visuospatial Function and Frontal-Occipital Functional Connectivity in Predementia: Randomized Controlled Trial.
BACKGROUND
Cognitive training can potentially prevent cognitive decline. However, the results of recent studies using semi-immersive virtual reality (VR)-assisted cognitive training are inconsistent.
OBJECTIVE
We aimed to examine the hypothesis that cognitive training using fully immersive VR, which may facilitate visuospatial processes, could improve visuospatial functioning, comprehensive neuropsychological functioning, psychiatric symptoms, and functional connectivity in the visual brain network in predementia.
METHODS
Participants over 60 years old with subjective cognitive decline or mild cognitive impairment from a memory clinic were randomly allocated to the VR (n=23) or the control (n=18) group. The VR group participants received multidomain and neuropsychologist-assisted cognitive training in a fully immersive VR environment twice a week for 1 month. The control group participants did not undergo any additional intervention except for their usual therapy such as pharmacotherapy. Participants of both groups were evaluated for cognitive function using face-to-face comprehensive neuropsychological tests, including the Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure Test (RCFT) copy task; for psychiatric symptoms such as depression, apathy, affect, and quality of life; as well as resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rsfMRI) at baseline and after training. Repeated-measures analysis of variance was used to compare the effect of cognitive training between groups. Seed-to-voxel-based analyses were used to identify the cognitive improvement-related functional connectivity in the visual network of the brain.
RESULTS
After VR cognitive training, significant improvement was found in the total score (F=14.69, P=.001) and basic components score of the RCFT copy task (F=9.27, P=.005) compared with those of the control group. The VR group also showed improvements, albeit not significant, in naming ability (F=3.55, P=.07), verbal memory delayed recall (F=3.03, P=.09), and phonemic fluency (F=3.08, P=.09). Improvements in psychiatric symptoms such as apathy (F=7.02, P=.01), affect (F=14.40, P=.001 for positive affect; F=4.23, P=.047 for negative affect), and quality of life (F=4.49, P=.04) were found in the VR group compared to the control group. Improvement in the RCFT copy task was associated with a frontal-occipital functional connectivity increase revealed by rsfMRI in the VR group compared to the control group.
CONCLUSIONS
Fully immersive VR cognitive training had positive effects on the visuospatial function, apathy, affect, quality of life, and increased frontal-occipital functional connectivity in older people in a predementia state. Future trials using VR cognitive training with larger sample sizes and more sophisticated designs over a longer duration may reveal greater improvements in cognition, psychiatric symptoms, and brain functional connectivity.
TRIAL REGISTRATION
Clinical Research Information Service KCT0005243; https://tinyurl.com/2a4kfasa.
Topics: Aged; Cognition; Cognitive Dysfunction; Humans; Middle Aged; Neuropsychological Tests; Quality of Life; Virtual Reality
PubMed: 33955835
DOI: 10.2196/24526