The Potential of Immersive Virtual Reality for Cognitive Training in Elderly

Abstract

The number of elderly is growing rapidly, including those that struggle with cognitive decline and, consequently, activities of daily living. Developing interventions that slow down cognitive decline would greatly benefit the autonomy of these elderly, as well as their caretakers. Virtual reality (VR) is an immersive and interactive human-computer interface with real-time simulation that is suggested to be a promising tool to improve cognitive functioning. This literature review discusses the features of immersive VR, including its opportunities and limitations, that are of special relevance for improving cognition in elderly. First, the high flexibility of VR allows for personalized and safe training of potentially harmful situations and isolated aspects of tasks. Second, VR’s dynamic and real-time feedback on performance provides a labor-extensive tool for caretakers in elderly care. Third, the acquisition of high resolution data enables the exposure of subtle changes over time, relevant for detecting the nature and extent of cognitive changes in elderly, including those with dementia. Fourth, immersive VR has been related to cybersickness. Finally, VR is immersive and enables the perception and expression of emotions, motor behaviors, and multiple senses. Aged subjects are found to have sparing of emotional learning and show increased reliance on multisensory integration for learning. Moreover, they experience high levels of flow, motivation, and presence in VR setups. Despite the clear potential of immersive VR, the studies available are small scale and have not been replicated. The digital illiteracy of elderly and healthcare personnel form an additional barrier for implementation. Hence, while replication of outcomes and standardization of VR interventions is required before it can be used in standard care, VR may provide a particularly effective tool for training cognition in elderly.

Α Virtual Reality App for Physical and Cognitive Training of Older People With Mild Cognitive Impairment: Mixed Methods Feasibility Study

“…Finally, VRADA can be combined with other techniques, such as functional magnetic resonance imaging, to track brain functionality in the VR environment. This can provide further valuable insights into the effects of VR [ 79 ].…”

Effects of Virtual Reality Intervention on Cognition and Motor Function in Older Adults With Mild Cognitive Impairment or Dementia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

“…VR technology is defined as a “high-end computer interface that involves real time simulation and interactions through multiple sensory channels.” All VR applications possess two key features, immersion and interaction, which means that VR can bring the subject inside a virtual environment and to respond in real time to movements of the body in a naturalistic way (Tieri et al, 2018 ). VR can be categorized into three types according to the level of immersion: low immersion, semi-immersion, and full immersion (García-Betances et al, 2015 ). In a low immersive system, the patient interacts with the virtual environment using conventional graphic workstations such as PC monitor, keyboard and mouse.…”

Virtual Reality for Neurorehabilitation and Cognitive Enhancement

“…The interaction between the human mind and virtual realities has been demonstrated to improve cognitive functions [17][18][19][20][21][22]. Biologically, this effect cannot be achieved without the activation of some forms of neural plasticity, such as strengthening or attenuation of synaptic transmission [23], remodeling of synaptic connections [24], reshaping of dendritic spines [25][26][27][28], reorganization of neuronal morphology [29][30][31], or modulation of electric excitability [32][33][34].…”