Effects of a virtual reality serious game training program on the cognitive function of people diagnosed with schizophrenia: A randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND: Cognitive impairment persists through the course of schizophrenia and affects patients’ activities of daily living. AIM: This study aims to investigate the effects of a virtual reality (VR) serious game training program on the cognitive function of people diagnosed with schizophrenia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty-four eligible people diagnosed with schizophrenia were recruited and randomly assigned to the intervention group (n = 31) and the control group (n = 33). The control group received standard psychiatric care. The intervention group was trained with an additional VR game twice a day for at least 10 days during hospitalization. Cognitive function was measured at enrollment and before discharge using the Brief Cognitive Assessment Tool for Schizophrenia. RESULTS: Compared with those of the control group, the results of the working memory (t = 3.463, Cohen’s d = 0.87, p = 0.001) and executive function (TMTA: Z = -2.272, Cohen’s d = 0.59, p = 0.023; TMTB:Z = -2.365, Cohen’s d = 0.62, p = 0.018) of the intervention group after intervention were significantly better. However, there was no significant difference in the results of social cognition (Z = -1.394, Cohen’s d = 0.35, p = 0.163) between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Intensive active virtual reality serious game training in addition to standard psychiatric care can significantly improve working memory and executive function in people diagnosed with schizophrenia. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: When helping improve the cognitive function of people diagnosed with schizophrenia, mental health professionals should identify cognitive domains to be enhanced and develop corresponding serious game training strategies.