The effect of virtual reality program on the cognitive function and balance of the people with mild cognitive impairment

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a virtual reality (VR) program on cognitive function and balance in the elderly with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) attending G welfare center in Gurye. [Subjects and Methods] Twenty-four patients with MCI were studied. The patients were exposed to the VR program for 30 min per experiment, which was conducted 20 times for four weeks. [Results] The cognitive function and balancing ability of the experimental group, when compared to the control group, showed a statistically significant increase in Visual Span Test (VST), Word Color Test (WCT), and Limit of Stability (LOS), which are the sub-categories of CNT 4.0, after the exposure to the program. In all test categories, the experimental group exhibited statistically significant differences compared to the control group. [Conclusion] Thus, the VR program is an effective intervention for the elderly with MCI.