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Effects of virtual reality-based spatial cognitive training on hippocampal function of older adults with mild cognitive impairment

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 July 2020

Jin-Hyuck Park
Jin-Hyuck Park*
Affiliation:
Department of Occupational Therapy, College of Medical Science, Soonchunhyang University, Asan-si, Republic of Korea
*
Correspondence should be addressed to: Jin-Hyuck Park, Room 1401, College of Medical Science, 22 Soonchunhyang-ro, Shinchang-myeon, Asan-si, Chungcheongnam-do31538, Republic of Korea. Phone: +82-41-530-4773. Email: [email protected].
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Abstract

Background:

To date, there is a controversy on effects of cognitive intervention to maintain or improve hippocampal function for older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI).

Objective:

The main objective of this study was to exam effects of virtual reality-based spatial cognitive training (VR-SCT) using VR on hippocampal function of older adults with MCI.

Method:

Fifty-six older adults with MCI were randomly allocated to the experimental group (EG) that received the VR-SCT or the waitlist control group (CG) for a total of 24 sessions. To investigate effects of the VR-SCT on spatial cognition and episodic memory, the Weschsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Revised Block Design Test (WAIS-BDT) and the Seoul Verbal Learning Test (SVLT) were used.

Results:

During the sessions, the training performances gradually increased (p < .001). After the intervention, the EG showed significant greater improvements in the WAIS-BDT (p < .001, η2 = .667) and recall of the SVLT (p < .05, η2 =.094) compared to the CG but in recognition of the SVLT (p > .05, η2 =.001).

Conclusion:

These results suggest that the VR-SCT might be clinically beneficial to enhance spatial cognition and episodic memory of older adults with MCI.

Keywords

spatial cognitionnavigationvirtual realitycognitive impairmenthippocampus
Type
Original Research Article
Information
International Psychogeriatrics , Volume 34 , Issue 2: Issue Theme: Technology, Virtual Reality, and Other Promising Interventions for Older Adults , February 2022 , pp. 157 - 163
Copyright
© International Psychogeriatric Association 2020

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