Effects of a dual intervention (motor and virtual reality-based cognitive) on cognition in patients with mild cognitive impairment: a single-blind, randomized controlled trial

• Published in: Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitation 2024-08, Vol.21 (1), p.130-17, Article 130
• Main Authors: Buele, Jorge, Avilés-Castillo, Fátima, Del-Valle-Soto, Carolina, Varela-Aldás, José, Palacios-Navarro, Guillermo
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Activities of Daily Living; Activities of daily living (ADL); Aged; Aged patients; Aged, 80 and over; Care and treatment; Cognition - physiology; Cognition disorders; Cognitive Dysfunction - etiology; Cognitive Dysfunction - psychology; Cognitive Dysfunction - rehabilitation; Cognitive Dysfunction - therapy; Cognitive rehabilitation; Cognitive therapy; Depression; Depression - therapy; Female; Humans; Male; Mild cognitive impairment (MCI); Motor rehabilitation; Single-Blind Method; Testing; Treatment Outcome; Virtual Reality
• ISSN: 1743-0003; 1743-0003
• DOI: 10.1186/s12984-024-01422-w

The increase in cases of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) underlines the urgency of finding effective methods to slow its progression. Given the limited effectiveness of current pharmacological options to prevent or treat the early stages of this deterioration, non-pharmacological alternatives are especially relevant. To assess the effectiveness of a cognitive-motor intervention based on immersive virtual reality (VR) that simulates an activity of daily living (ADL) on cognitive functions and its impact on depression and the ability to perform such activities in patients with MCI. Thirty-four older adults (men, women) with MCI were randomized to the experimental group (n = 17; 75.41 ± 5.76) or control (n = 17; 77.35 ± 6.75) group. Both groups received motor training, through aerobic, balance and resistance activities in group. Subsequently, the experimental group received cognitive training based on VR, while the control group received traditional cognitive training. Cognitive functions, depression, and the ability to perform activities of daily living (ADLs) were assessed using the Spanish versions of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA-S), the Short Geriatric Depression Scale (SGDS-S), and the of Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL-S) before and after 6-week intervention (a total of twelve 40-minutes sessions). Between groups comparison did not reveal significant differences in either cognitive function or geriatric depression. The intragroup effect of cognitive function and geriatric depression was significant in both groups (p