scholarly journals Feasibility and Tolerability of a Culture-Based Virtual Reality (VR) Training Program in Patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Study

Author(s):  
Jong-Hwan Park ◽  
Yung Liao ◽  
Du-Ri Kim ◽  
Seunghwan Song ◽  
Jun Ho Lim ◽  
...  

The present study examined whether a culture-based virtual reality (VR) training program is feasible and tolerable for patients with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI), and whether it could improve cognitive function in these patients. Twenty-one outpatients with aMCI were randomized to either the VR-based training group or the control group in a 1:1 ratio. The VR-based training group participated in training for 30 min/day, two days/week, for three months (24 times). The VR-based program was designed based on Korean traditional culture and used attention, processing speed, executive function and memory conditions to stimulate cognitive function. The adherence to the culture-based VR training program was 91.55% ± 6.41% in the VR group. The only adverse events observed in the VR group were dizziness (4.2%) and fatigue (8.3%). Analysis revealed that the VR-based training group exhibited no significant differences following the three-month VR program in Korean Mini-Mental State Examination (K-MMSE) scores, working memory functions such as performance on the digit span test, or in Stroop test performance and word fluency. We conclude that although the 12-week culture-based VR training program did not improve cognitive function, our findings revealed that the culture-based VR training program was feasible and tolerable for participants with aMCI.

Healthcare ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 335
Author(s):  
Ji-Su Park ◽  
Young-Jin Jung ◽  
Gihyoun Lee

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of virtual reality-based cognitive–motor rehabilitation (VRCMR) on the rehabilitation motivation and cognitive function in older adults. This study enrolled 40 older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), living in the community. The subjects were randomly assigned to a VRCMR group (n = 20) or a conventional cognitive rehabilitation (CCR) group (n = 20). The VRCMR group underwent VRCMR using MOTOcog, a computer recognition program, whereas the CCR group underwent conventional cognitive rehabilitation, which included puzzles, wood blocks, card play, stick construction activity, and maze activity. Both interventions were performed 30 min per day, 5 days/week, for 6 weeks. This study performed a cognitive assessment using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) scale, Trail Making Test A and B (TMT-A/B), and Digit Span Test forward and backward (DST-forward/backward). In addition, a 0-to-10 numeric rating self-report scale was used to assess interest and motivation during the rehabilitation training. After the intervention, the VRCMR group showed a significantly greater improvement in the MoCA (p = 0.045), TMT-A (p = 0.039), TMT-B (p = 0.040), and DST-forward (p = 0.011) scores compared to the CCR group, but not in the DST-backward score (p = 0.424). In addition, subjects in the experimental group had significantly higher interest (p = 0.03) and motivation (p = 0.03) than those in the control group. Cohen’s d effect size was 0.4, 0.3, 0.35, 0.4, and 0.5 for the MoCA, TMT-A, TMT-B, DST-forward, and DST-backward tests, respectively. This study demonstrates that VRCMR enhances motivation for rehabilitation and cognitive function in older adults with MCI better than CCR.


2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 362 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jung-Hae Youn ◽  
Soowon Park ◽  
Jun-Young Lee ◽  
Seong-Jin Cho ◽  
Jeongsim Kim ◽  
...  

Intervention programs to relieve memory impairment and memory-related complaints in older adults with mild cognitive impairment are needed. Objective: The purpose of the current study was to assess the efficacy of a novel cognitive training approach—named multi-strategic metamemory training—in older adults with amnestic mild cognitive impairment. Among a total of 113 older adults with mild cognitive impairment, 66 participated in the memory training program (training group) and 47 did not (control group). Repeated measures of analysis of variance revealed that compared with the control group, the training group experienced: (i) a significantly greater increase in cognitive test scores of long-term delayed free recall (Finteraction = 6.04, p = 0.016) and fluency (Finteraction = 4.11, p = 0.045) and (ii) significantly greater decrease in their subjective memory complaints for everyday memory (Finteraction = 7.35, p = 0.009). These results suggest that the training program can improve verbal memory (i.e., delayed free recall), language processing (i.e., categorical fluency) and limit complaints in everyday instrumental memory activities of mildly impaired older adults.


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-13
Author(s):  
Dong Bai ◽  
Junting Fan ◽  
Mengyue Li ◽  
Cuixia Dong ◽  
Yiming Gao ◽  
...  

Background: The neuroprotective benefits of combined folic acid and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) on cognitive function in mild cognitive impairment (MCI) patients are suggested but unconfirmed. Objective: To explore the effects of 6-month folic acid + DHA on cognitive function in patients with MCI. Methods: Our randomized controlled trial (trial number ChiCTR-IOR-16008351) was conducted in Tianjin, China. We divided 160 MCI patients aged >  60 years into four regimen groups randomly: folic acid (0.8 mg/day) + DHA (800 mg/day), folic acid (0.8 mg/day), DHA (800 mg/day), and placebo, for 6 months. Cognitive function and blood amyloid-β peptide (Aβ) biomarker levels were measured at baseline and 6 months. Cognitive function was also measured at 12 months. Results: A total of 138 patients completed this trial. Folic acid improved the full-scale intelligence quotient (FSIQ), arithmetic, and picture complement scores; DHA improved the FSIQ, information, arithmetic, and digit span scores; folic acid + DHA improved the arithmetic (difference 1.67, 95% CI 1.02 to 2.31) and digital span (1.33, 0.24 to 2.43) scores compared to placebo. At 12 months, all scores declined in the intervention groups. Folic acid and folic acid + DHA increased blood folate (folic acid + DHA: 7.70, 3.81 to 11.59) and S-adenosylmethionine (23.93, 1.86 to 46.00) levels and reduced homocysteine levels (–6.51, –10.57 to –2.45) compared to placebo. DHA lower the Aβ40 levels (–40.57, –79.79 to –1.35) compared to placebo (p <  0.05), and folic acid + DHA reduced the Aβ42 (–95.59, –150.76 to –40.43) and Aβ40 levels (–45.75, –84.67 to –6.84) more than DHA (p <  0.05). Conclusion: Folic acid and DHA improve cognitive function and reduce blood Aβ production in MCI patients. Combination therapy may be more beneficial in reducing blood Aβ-related biomarkers.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jindong Chang ◽  
Wenbing Zhu ◽  
Jia Zhang ◽  
Liming Yong ◽  
Ming Yang ◽  
...  

The present study aimed to assess the effects of square dance exercise on the cognitive function and quality of life in older women with mild cognitive impairment and to investigate the mediating role of a depressed mood and reduced quality of life in the relationship between square dance exercise and cognition. The study design was a single-blind whole-group controlled trial. A total of 136 eligible participants were divided according to their nursing home into either an experimental or control group. The nursing home grouping was determined by the drawing of lots. The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), Quality of Life (SF-12) and Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15) were used to assess participants at baseline, week 9, and week 18, respectively. Generalized estimating equations (GEE) were used to compare the results at baseline with mid-test and post-test changes in cognitive function and quality of life. Maximum likelihood estimation (ML) and robust standard errors were used to perform the mediation model. The study results indicated that the experimental group (compared to the control group) had a significant improvement in cognitive function, quality of life, and mood state at baseline in the mid-test and post-test results. The results of this 18-week experiment showed that the exercise–cognition relationship was significantly mediated by a reduction in depressive symptoms (indirect effect: β = −0.375; 95% CI = −0.864 to −0.069) and an improvement in quality of life (indirect effect: β = −0.678; 95% CI = −1.222 to −0.290). This study revealed the effects of moderate-intensity square dance exercise on cognitive function and quality of life in older Chinese women with mild cognitive impairment and explored the potential mediating mechanisms. These findings can be used to inform the development of public health policies to promote brain health in older adults with mild cognitive impairment.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stefan Carlo Michalski ◽  
Ancret Szpak ◽  
Dimitrios Saredakis ◽  
Tyler Ross ◽  
Mark Billinghurst ◽  
...  

Objective: The present study investigates skill transfer from Virtual Reality (VR) sports training to the real world, using the fast-paced sport of table tennis.Background: A key assumption of VR training is that the learned skills and experiences transfer to the real world. Yet, in certain application areas, such as VR sports training, the research testing this assumption is sparse.Design: Real-world table tennis performance was assessed using a mixed-model analysis of variance. The analysis comprised a between-subjects (VR training group vs control group) and a within-subjects (pre- and post-training) factor. Method: Fifty-seven participants (23 females) were either assigned to a VR training group (n = 29) or no-training control group (n = 28). During VR training, participants were immersed in competitive table tennis matches against an artificial intelligence opponent. An expert table tennis coach evaluated participants on real-world table tennis playing before and after the training phase. Blinded regarding participant's group assignment, the expert assessed participants’ backhand, forehand and serving on quantitative aspects (e.g. count of rallies without errors) and quality of skill aspects (e.g. technique and consistency).Results: VR training significantly improved participants’ real-world table tennis performance compared to a no-training control group in both quantitative (p&lt;.001, partial eta2 = .301) and quality of skill assessments (p&lt;.001, Cohen’s d = 1.10).Conclusions: This study adds to a sparse yet expanding literature, demonstrating real-world skill transfer from Virtual Reality in an athletic task.


2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yugang Jiang ◽  
Shoudan Sun

Abstract Objectives An intervention study was performed to determine if supplement containing blueberry extracts could improve cognitive function in the elderly patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Methods Forty six MCI patients participated in the intervention study were paired based on their age, education level and initial the basic cognitive aptitude test (BCAT) scores and then randomly assigned to the intervention group (n = 23, which received 1.0 g/day of blueberry extracts) or blank control group (n = 23) . The endpoint was the improvement in cognitive function as evaluated by BCATs. All parameters were measured before and after the treatment period of 12 weeks. Results After 12 weeks of intervention, we observed significant improvement in their total BCAT score, space imagery efficiency, working memory and recognition memory of subjects in patients with blueberry extracts supplementation comparing to those in the control group (P = 0.006, 0.023, 0.000, 0.005, respectively). However the levels of inflammatory factors (IL-6 and TNF-α in serum) showed no significant changes after intervention. Conclusions The data indicated that blueberry has a beneficial effect on cognitive function of the elderly MCI patients, which might provide therapeutic potential for Alzheimer's disease. Funding Sources This work was supported by the State Key Program of National Natural Science Foundation of China and the State Key Program of National Natural Science Foundation of Tianjin. Supporting Tables, Images and/or Graphs


2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (3.22) ◽  
pp. 32
Author(s):  
Nur Hartini Mardan ◽  
Norsiah Fauzan

Neurofeedback training (NFT) has been widely used to alter the brain activity to enhance the brain function. This study aimed to apply neurofeedback to enhance the cognitive performance in elderly with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) by focusing on alpha wave in the neurofeedback training as it is positively associated with cognitive decline in elderly. 10 subjects who passed the criteria were assigned to experimental and control group. With 15 sessions of alpha neurofeedback, increase in alpha absolute power was rewarded while simultaneous suppression of theta and beta2 were done in experimental group. Results showed that after completion of neurofeedback, all subjects in experimental group learn to increase their alpha absolute power while mixed result was recorded for suppression of theta and high beta either at individual, inter and intra group level. Cognitive results in individual level revealed that pattern of increase and decrease of score was regular in experimental group and at grouped level, significant increment observed in Digit Span and Symbol Search in experimental group only. These results suggest that MCI elderly could learn to increase specific components of EEG activity that such enhanced activity may facilitate in working memory and processing speed enhancement.  


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