A systematic review of the use of virtual reality and its effects on cognition in individuals with neurocognitive disorders

Alexander Moreno; Kylie Janine Wall; Karthick Thangavelu; Lucas Craven; Emma Ward; Nadeeka N Dissanayaka

doi:10.1016/j.trci.2019.09.016

A systematic review of the use of virtual reality and its effects on cognition in individuals with neurocognitive disorders

Alzheimers Dement (N Y). 2019 Nov 22:5:834-850. doi: 10.1016/j.trci.2019.09.016. eCollection 2019.

Authors

Alexander Moreno^{1

2}, Kylie Janine Wall^{3

4

5}, Karthick Thangavelu⁶, Lucas Craven⁷, Emma Ward^{3

4

5}, Nadeeka N Dissanayaka^{6

8

9}

Affiliations

¹ Department of Psychology, Université de Montréal, Quebec, Canada.
² Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Rehabilitation (CRIR) - Notre-Dame Hospital, CIUSSS Centre-Sud-de-l'Île-de-Montréal (CCSMTL), Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
³ Faculty of Health, Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Queensland, Australia.
⁴ Faculty of Health, School of Psychology and Counselling, Queensland University of Technology, Queensland, Australia.
⁵ QSpectral Systems Pty Ltd, Queensland, Australia.
⁶ UQ Centre for Clinical Research, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Queensland, Australia.
⁷ Department of Psychology, Western Colorado University, Gunnison, Colorado, USA.
⁸ School of Psychology, The University of Queensland, Queensland, Australia.
⁹ Department of Neurology, Royal Brisbane & Woman's Hospital, Queensland, Australia.

Abstract

Introduction: Virtual reality (VR) interventions are increasingly used in individuals with brain injuries. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of VR on overall cognitive functioning in individuals with neurocognitive disorders (NCDs).

Methods: Using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines, a systematic review of the published literature on immersive and nonimmersive VR technologies targeting cognition in minor and major NCDs was conducted: (PROSPERO registration number: CRD42019121953).

Results: A total of 22 studies were included in the review, for an aggregated sample of 564 individuals with NCDs. Most of the studies were conducted on patients who had stroke (27.3%), followed by mild cognitive impairment (22.7%) and Alzheimer's disease (13.6%). VR interventions used for cognitive rehabilitation suggested to improve cognition (e.g. memory, dual tasking, and visual attention), and secondarily to psychological functioning (e.g. reduction of anxiety, higher levels of well-being, and increased use of coping strategies).

Conclusion: VR interventions are useful to improve cognition and psychological symptoms in NCDs.

Keywords: Cognitive impairment; Cognitive rehabilitation; Dementia; Neurocognitive disorder; Technology; Virtual reality.

Publication types

Review