Effects of virtual reality immersive training with computerized cognitive training on cognitive function and activities of daily living performance in patients with acute stage stroke: A preliminary randomized controlled trial

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of virtual reality immersive training with computerized cognitive training on the cognitive function and activity of daily living in patients with acute stroke. METHOD: We included 42 patients with acute stage stroke from C hospital in Sungnam from May, 2017 to September, 2017. The patients were randomly selected and divided into the experimental (n = 21) and control (n = 21) group. The experimental group performed virtual reality training, including Head Mount Display with computerized cognitive therapy, and the control group performed computerized cognitive therapy. Both groups trained for 30 minutes a day 5 times a week; the intervention lasted 4 weeks. To evaluate the improvement in each group, pre-post-test evaluation was conducted using the Loewenstein Occupational Therapy Cognitive Assessment and Computerized Neurocognitive Function Test for cognitive function, and Functional Independent Measure for activities of daily living. RESULTS: Attention and memory in cognitive function and activity of daily living performance were improved in the both groups. CONCLUSION: Virtual reality immersive training might be an affordable approach for cognitive function and activity of daily living performance recovery for patients with acute stroke.