Immersive Virtual Reality–Based Cognitive Intervention for the Improvement of Cognitive Function, Depression, and Perceived Stress in Older Adults With Mild Cognitive Impairment and Mild Dementia: Pilot Pre-Post Study

BACKGROUND: The incidence of dementia is increasing annually, resulting in varying degrees of adverse effects for individuals, families, and society. With the continuous development of computer information technology, cognitive interventions are constantly evolving. The use of immersive virtual reality (IVR) as a cognitive intervention for older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and mild dementia (MD) is promising, although only few studies have focused on its use. OBJECTIVE: The Chinese virtual supermarket (CVSM) IVR system was developed to provide a comprehensive and individual cognitive intervention program for older patients with MCI and MD. The aim of this study was to explore the feasibility and clinical effectiveness of this 5-week IVR-based cognitive intervention. METHODS: A pretest-posttest study design was conducted with 31 older adults with MCI and MD from August 2020 to January 2021. All participants participated in a 5-week immersive virtual cognitive training program using the CVSM system. Feasibility was assessed as the incidence and severity of cybersickness symptoms and participant satisfaction based on questionnaires conducted after the intervention. Clinical effectiveness was evaluated using neuropsychological assessments, including several commonly used measures of cognitive function, depression, perceived stress, and activities of daily living. Measurements were obtained at baseline and after the intervention period. RESULTS: A total of 18 patients with MCI (mean age 82.94 [SD 5.44] years; 12 females) and 13 patients with MD (mean age 85.7 [SD 4.67] years, 10 females) participated in this pilot study. Both groups showed significant improvements in all cognitive function measurements (P<.001). The MD group had a significantly greater improvement in general cognitive function compared to the MCI group in Montreal Cognitive Assessment Scale, Symbol Digit Modalities Test, Shape Trail Test, and Auditory Verbal Learning Test. Furthermore, an intervention effect was observed in the improvement of perceived stress (P=.048 for MD group, P=.03 for MCI group ). CONCLUSIONS: The use of the CVSM system may be effective in enhancing the cognitive function of patients with MCI and MD, including general cognitive function, memory, executive function, and attention. IVR technology enriches cognitive intervention approaches and provides acceptable, professional, personalized, and interesting cognitive training for older adults with cognitive impairment. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials ChiCTR2100043753; https://trialsearch.who.int/Trial2.aspx?TrialID=ChiCTR2100043753