scholarly journals Cognitive Training in Fully Immersive Virtual Reality Improves Visuospatial Function and Frontal-Occipital Functional Connectivity in a Pre-Dementia State: A Randomized Controlled Trial (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jae Myeong Kang ◽  
Nambeom Kim ◽  
Sook Young Lee ◽  
Soo Kyun Woo ◽  
Geumjin Park ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Functional Connectivity ◽  
Cognitive Decline ◽  
Cognitive Training ◽  
Psychiatric Symptoms ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Immersive Virtual Reality ◽  
Visuospatial Function

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 process, could improve visuospatial function, comprehensive neuropsychological function, psychiatric symptoms, and functional connectivity (FC) in the visual brain network in pre-dementia state. 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 group (n=18). The VR group participants received multi-domain and neuropsychologist-assisted cognitive training in a fully immersive VR environment twice a week for 1 month and control group participants did not undergo any additional intervention except for their usual therapy such as cognitive-enhancing medication. Both group participants 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 analyses of variance were used to compare the effect of cognitive training between groups. Seed-to-voxel based analyses were used to find the cognitive improvement-related FC in the visual network of the brain. RESULTS After VR cognitive training, the VR group showed significant improvement in total score (F=14.69, P=.001) and basic components score of RCFT copy task (F=9.27, P=0.005) compared to the control group. The VR group showed a trend in improvement in naming ability (F=3.55, P=0.68), 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=14.40, P=.001 for negative affect), and quality of life (F=4.49, P=.04) were also found in the VR group compared to the control group. rsfMRI revealed that improvement in the RCFT copy task was associated with frontal-occipital FC increase 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 FC in older adults in pre-dementia state. Future trials using VR cognitive training with larger sample sizes and more sophisticated design over a longer duration may observe greater improvements in cognition, psychiatric symptoms, and brain FC. CLINICALTRIAL Clinical Research Information Service, conforming to the World Health Organization International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (WHO-ICTRP), KCT0005243. https://cris.nih.go.kr/cris/search/search_result_st01_en.jsp?seq=17055<ype=&rtype=

Cognitive training in fully immersive virtual reality improves visuospatial function and fronto-occipital functional connectivity in a pre-dementia state: A randomized controlled trial

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jae Myeong Kang ◽  
Nambeom Kim ◽  
Sook Young Lee ◽  
Soo Kyun Woo ◽  
Byeong Kil Yeon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Functional Connectivity ◽  
Cognitive Decline ◽  
Positive Affect ◽  
Cognitive Training ◽  
Psychiatric Symptoms ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Immersive Virtual Reality ◽  
Visuospatial Function ◽  
Visual Network

Abstract BackgroundCognitive training has potential in staving off cognitive decline. Recent studies using semi-immersive virtual reality (VR)-assisted cognitive training have shown inconsistent results. We aimed to test the hypothesis that cognitive training using fully immersive VR, which may facilitate visuospatial process, would improve visuospatial function, comprehensive neuropsychological functions, psychiatric symptoms, and functional connectivity (FC) of the visual network in the resting brain in pre-dementia state.MethodsParticipants with subjective cognitive decline (SCD) or mild cognitive impairment (MCI) were randomly assigned to a VR (n = 23) or a control group (n = 18). VR group participants received multi-domain cognitive training in a fully immersive VR environment twice a week for one month. Both groups were evaluated for cognitive function using comprehensive neuropsychological tests including the Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure Test (RCFT) copy task, for psychiatric symptoms using the Geriatric Depression Scale, Positive and Negative Affect Schedule-positive affect (PANAS), Apathy Evaluation Scale (AES), and Quality of Life-Alzheimer’s disease, as well as resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rsfMRI) at baseline and post-training. Repeated measures analyses of variance were used to compare the effect of the cognitive training between the groups. Seed-to-voxel based analyses were used to find the cognitive improvement-related FC in the visual network of the brain.ResultsAfter VR cognitive training, the VR group showed improvements in the RCFT copy task (F = 15.44, p < 0.001), the PANAS-positive (F = 8.28, p < 0.001), and the AES (F = 21.28, p = 0.006) compared to the control group. rsfMRI revealed that improvement in the RCFT copy task was associated with frontal-occipital FC increase in the VR group compared to the control group.Conclusions and relevanceFully immersive VR cognitive training had positive effects on visuospatial function, positive affect, apathy, and frontal-occipital FC in older adults at pre-dementia state. Future trials using VR cognitive training with larger sample sizes and more sophisticated design over a longer duration may observe greater improvements in cognition, psychiatric symptoms, and brain FC.Trial registrationClinical Research Information Service, conforming to the World Health Organization International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (WHO-ICTRP), KCT0005243. Registered 22 July 2020 – retrospectively registered, https://cris.nih.go.kr/cris/search/search_result_st01_en.jsp?seq=17055&ltype=&rtype=

scholarly journals Cognitive impairments in patients with treatment resistant epilepsy and complex rehabilitation

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 123-129
Author(s):  
Volodymyr Korostiy ◽  
Iryna Blazhina
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Cognitive Decline ◽  
Cognitive Training ◽  
Affective Disorders ◽  
Depressive Disorders ◽  
Cognitive Impairments ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Quality Of Life Scale ◽  
Patients With Epilepsy

Background. The study of features of comorbid pathology in patients with epilepsy is of particular interest due to the high prevalence of this pathology and a significant impact on the quality of life of patients and their social adaptation. Aim. The aim of the research was to detect versatile cognitive impairments and affective disorders in epilepsy, and to study the results of cognitive training and psychoeducation. Materials and methods. The theoretical analysis of modern scientific researches in the field of cognitive and affective impairments during epilepsy was carried out. We studied the features of clinical and psychopathological manifestations in patients, suffering from epilepsy. The study covered 146patients (85 men and 61 women) who were in inpatient care. The following psychodiagnostic techniques were used: the MOCA test, the Toronto Cognitive Assessment (TorCA), the MiniMult test, the Münsterberg test, the quality of life scale, the Hamilton scale of depression and anxiety. Results. This publication offers the results of a study of cognitive and affective disorders the quality of life in patients who suffer from epilepsy and the results of online cognitive training and psychoeducation. We found cognitive decline in 88% of patients with epilepsy and improvement of cognitive functions by methods of non-pharmacological correction. Conclusions. Affective and cognitive disorders significantly affects the quality of life of patients, their ability to work and socialization. The conducted research showed that compared to the control group of healthy persons, patients with epilepsy showed improvement in their cognitive decline, anxiety and depressive disorders. Cognitive online training appeared to be effective for the patients with epilepsy.

scholarly journals Affective Temperaments and Illness Severity in Patients with Bipolar Disorder

Medicina ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 57 (1) ◽  
pp. 54
Author(s):  
Mario Luciano ◽  
Luca Steardo ◽  
Gaia Sampogna ◽  
Vito Caivano ◽  
Carmen Ciampi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Bipolar Disorder ◽  
Protective Factor ◽  
Psychiatric Symptoms ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Term Outcome ◽  
Long Term Outcome ◽  
Affective Temperaments

Background and objectives: Bipolar disorder (BD) is one of the most burdensome psychiatric illnesses, being associated with a negative long-term outcome and the highest suicide rate. Although affective temperaments can impact on BD long-term outcome, their role remains poorly investigated. The aims of the present study are to describe the clinical characteristics of patients with BD more frequently associated with the different affective temperaments and to assess the relation between affective temperaments and severity of clinical picture in a sample of patients with BD. Materials and Methods: A total of 199 patients have been recruited in the outpatients units of two university sites. Patients’ psychiatric symptoms, affective temperaments, and quality of life were investigated through validated assessment instruments. Results: Predominant cyclothymic and irritable temperaments are associated to higher number of relapses, poorer quality of life, higher rates of aggressive behaviors, and suicide attempts. Conversely, the predominant hyperthymic disposition was a protective factor for several outcome measures, including relapse rate, severity of anxiety, depressive and manic symptoms, suicidality, and earlier age at onset. One limitationo of the present study is that the recruitment took place in two university sites; therefore, our findings cannot be fully generalized to the whole community of BD patients. Other limitations are the lack of a control group and the cross-sectional design of the study. Conclusions: The early identification of affective temperaments can help clinicians to identify those BD patients who are more likely to show a poor long-term outcome. An early screening of affective temperaments can be useful to develop targeted integrated pharmacological and psychosocial interventions.

scholarly journals Decreasing postoperative cognitive deficits after heart surgery: Protocol for a randomized controlled trial on cognitive training

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marius Butz ◽  
Jasmin El-Shazly ◽  
Gebhard Sammer ◽  
Marlene Tschernatsch ◽  
Sabrina Kastaun ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Cognitive Training ◽  
Cognitive Deficits ◽  
Heart Surgery ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Training Effect ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Related Quality ◽  
Health Related

Abstract Background The occurrence of postoperative cognitive deficits, especially after heart surgery, has been demonstrated in several studies. These deficits can clearly be noticed by the patients as well as by their close relatives in daily life. Furthermore, postoperative cognitive deficits can decrease quality of life in social functioning and earning capacity. The aim of this study is to investigate whether early postoperative cognitive training can reduce subjective and objective postoperative cognitive deficits Methods The proposed study is a multicenter, 2-arm randomized controlled trial involving 144 elderly patients undergoing elective heart valve surgery with extracorporeal circulation. Patients will be assigned to either a training group or a control group. The intervention involves a paper-and-pencil-based cognitive training, which is conducted for 36 minutes over a period of 18 days. The training starts about 1 week after surgery and is carried out during the hospitalized rehabilitation phase. The control group will not receive a cognitive training or a placebo intervention. A detailed assessment of psychological functions and health-related quality of life prior to surgery at discharge from rehabilitation and 3 and 12 months after discharge will be performed. The Primary outcome of this trial is the training effect on objective cognitive functions at discharge from rehabilitation. Secondary outcomes are the training effect on objective and subjective cognitive functions (3 and 12 months after discharge), depression, health-related quality of life, and the impact of perioperative cerebral ischemia on the training effect. Perioperative cerebral ischemia will be measured with postoperative magnetic resonance imaging including diffusion-weighted sequences. Discussion Should it be shown that our cognitive training can improve postoperative cognitive deficits as well as quality of life, one possibility could be to integrate this intervention into early rehabilitation. Furthermore, we hope that the investigation of perioperative ischemia by diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging will improve our understanding of neurobiological factors influencing the course of postoperative cognitive plasticity.

scholarly journals Virtual reality for relatives of ICU patients to improve psychological sequelae: study protocol for a multicentre, randomised controlled trial

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (9) ◽  
pp. e049704
Author(s):  
Johan H Vlake ◽  
Jasper van Bommel ◽  
Evert-Jan Wils ◽  
Tim Korevaar ◽  
Merel E Hellemons ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Intensive Care ◽  
Randomised Controlled Trial ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Icu Patients ◽  
Randomised Controlled

IntroductionIntensive care unit (ICU) admission of a relative might lead to psychological distress and complicated grief (post-intensive care syndrome–family; PICS-F). Evidence suggests that increased distress during ICU stay increases risk of PICS-F, resulting in difficulty returning to their normal lives after the ICU experience. Effective interventions to improve PICS-F are currently lacking. In the present trial, we hypothesised that information provision using ICU-specific Virtual Reality for Family members/relatives (ICU-VR-F) may improve understanding of the ICU and subsequently improve psychological well-being and quality of life in relatives of patients admitted to the ICU.Methods and analysisThis multicentre, clustered randomised controlled trial will be conducted from January to December 2021 in the mixed medical-surgical ICUs of four hospitals in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. We aim to include adult relatives of 160 ICU patients with an expected ICU length of stay over 72 hours. Participants will be randomised clustered per patient in a 1:1 ratio to either the intervention or control group. Participants allocated to the intervention group will receive ICU-VR-F, an information video that can be watched in VR, while the control group will receive usual care. Initiation of ICU-VR-F will be during their hospital visit unless participants cannot visit the hospital due to COVID-19 regulations, then VR can be watched digitally at home. The primary objective is to study the effect of ICU-VR-F on psychological well-being and quality of life up to 6 months after the patients’ ICU discharge. The secondary outcome is the degree of understanding of ICU treatment and ICU modalities.Ethics and disseminationThe Medical Ethics Committee of the Erasmus Medical Centre, Rotterdam, the Netherlands, approved the study and local approval was obtained from each participating centre (NL73670.078.20). Our findings will be disseminated by presentation of the results at (inter)national conferences and publication in scientific, peer-reviewed journals.Trial registration numberNetherlands Trial Register (TrialRegister.nl, NL9220).

scholarly journals Immersive Virtual Reality for the Management of Pain in Community-Dwelling Older Adults

2018 ◽  
Vol 39 (2) ◽  
pp. 90-96 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara Benham ◽  
Minhee Kang ◽  
Namrata Grampurohit
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
World Health ◽  
Immersive Virtual Reality ◽  
Quality Of Life Scale ◽  
Patient Reported ◽  
Community Dwelling Older Adults

Immersive virtual reality (VR) can provide a high level of engagement and distraction analgesia to address pain. However, community-based applications of this technology for older adults have not been studied. The objective of this study was to examine the applicability and effectiveness of an immersive VR intervention for pain, depression, and quality of life (QOL) in older adults. This pretest–posttest, mixed-methods design included senior center members ( n = 12) with pain that interfered with daily functioning. The outcomes included the Numeric Pain Rating Scale, Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS®) depression scale, World Health Organization Quality of Life Scale Brief Version (WHO QOL-BREF), and open-ended questions. The VR intervention (15- to 45-min sessions, 12 sessions over 6 weeks) was well accepted with no dropouts. There was a significant decrease in pain ( p = .002, d = −1.54) with no effect on depression and QOL. There were no adverse effects, and positive perceptions of VR were reported. The 6-week immersive VR intervention was applicable and effective in reducing pain intensity for community-dwelling older adults.

scholarly journals Increasing quality of life for older adults living in collective dwellings using virtual reality: a feasibility study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Krieger
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Social Engagement ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Virtual Tourism ◽  
Study Results

The number of older adults living in collective dwellings is increasing. It is important to research effective strategies to maintain and enhance quality of life for older adults living in collective dwellings. Meaningful leisure, such as the ability to travel, is associated with increases in quality of life for older adults. Unfortunately, many older adults, especially those living in collective dwellings, face barriers to travel. Virtual reality (VR) may help older adults living in collective dwellings overcome barriers to travel. The present study examined whether older adults living in collective dwellings tolerated and enjoyed immersive VR, and whether six weeks of virtual tourism affected their quality of life, social engagement, and loneliness. Fourteen older adults living in retirement homes in Toronto participated in this study. Results suggested that participants tolerated immersive VR without experiencing cybersickness, and that they were happier, more excited, and less anxious immediately following VR exposure. Levels of social engagement increased following the six-week virtual tourism program. These quantitative findings were further supported by qualitative interviews. No changes in quality of life or loneliness were found. Limitations include a lack of a control group and small sample size. Addressing these limitations will help to isolate the effects of the virtual tourism program on indices of well-being.

scholarly journals Immersive virtual reality is effective in improving the physical condition and quality of life of sedentary university students: A randomized clinical trial

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 280-285
Author(s):  
Felipe Lima Rebêlo ◽  
Luiz Fellipe de Souza Silva ◽  
Antônio Áureo Melo Filho ◽  
Allan David Borges Bastos ◽  
Paulo Roberto Oliveira Silva Filho ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Clinical Trial ◽  
Virtual Reality ◽  
University Students ◽  
Randomized Clinical Trial ◽  
Physical Condition ◽  
Immersive Virtual Reality
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