The Effectiveness of Virtual Reality Interventions for Improvement of Neurocognitive Performance After Traumatic Brain Injury: A Systematic Review

Abstract

VR interventions hold significant potential for improving neurocognitive performance in patients with TBI. While there is some evidence for translation of gains to activities of daily living, further studies are required to confirm the validity of cognitive measures and reliable translation to real-life performance.

Opportunities for the Implementation of Immersive Virtual Reality in Rehabilitation

“…These findings likely extend to the doubts expressed by participants relating to the use of VR by people with cognitive impairments or mental health conditions. These were seen as potentially exclusionary criteria to clients engaging with VR, despite prior research that has used VR to successfully treat psychological symptoms in people with anxiety [26], and cognitive impairments in people with dementia [5] and TBI [6]. These existing studies indicate that cognitive impairments and mental health can be improved through VR, and therefore are not necessarily factors which would limit engagement in VR-based rehabilitation.…”

“…The use of virtual reality (VR) technology is advancing rapidly in many areas of healthcare and rehabilitation [1,2]. In both physical [2][3][4] and cognitive [5,6] rehabilitation, researchers have used virtual games and experiences to engage people with a variety of health conditions in novel and motivating therapies. Intervention studies have targeted physical impairments, activity limitations, and participation restrictions in people with a range of diagnoses.…”

“…Implementation of VR therapy to improve the attention of people with dementia achieved positive outcomes when, compared to traditional paper-based tasks [5]. Other cognitive skills including memory, executive function, learning and problem solving have also been targeted through virtual interventions for people following a traumatic brain injury (TBI) with mixed success [6]. Participants in the aforementioned studies (with diagnoses of stroke, cerebral palsy, dementia and TBI, or others with similar conditions) often have communication disability.…”

Improving Cognitive Function after Traumatic Brain Injury: A Clinical Trial on the Potential Use of the Semi-Immersive Virtual Reality

“…Growing evidence demonstrates that cognitive rehabilitation (CR), through previously learned skills or new compensatory strategies, is effective in patients with TBI as it enhances cognitive and psychosocial interaction [8–12]. In recent years, technological innovations have allowed the development of new rehabilitative strategies, such as PC-based rehabilitation or Virtual Reality Training (VRT), which have proven effective in the CR of neurological patients [13–16]. Chen et al [17], examining the efficacy of PC-based rehabilitation in TBI subjects, observed significant posttreatment improvements on cognitive domains.…”

“…Moreover, it has been demonstrated that PC cognitive training can be a potential CR strategy to optimize cognitive and global functional recovery [18, 19]. Several studies using VR have shown that it increases cognitive and behavioral skills in patients with TBI [13–16]. Indeed, it has been demonstrated that VR may be effective in improving executive functions in patients with TBI in the subacute phase [20].…”