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. 2024 Dec 6:18:1467697.
doi: 10.3389/fnhum.2024.1467697. eCollection 2024.

Effects of fully immersive virtual reality training on cognitive function in patients with mild cognitive impairment: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Jing Yu  1 , Jingru Song  1 , Qin Shen  1
Affiliations

Effects of fully immersive virtual reality training on cognitive function in patients with mild cognitive impairment: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Jing Yu et al. Front Hum Neurosci. .

Abstract

Background: Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a prodromal stage of dementia. There is no specific medication to slow the progression of MCI. Recent studies have confirmed the positive effects of virtual reality (VR). However, the results are inconsistent due to different types of VR interventions, small sample sizes, and the varying quality of the literature. This study aimed to assess the effects of fully immersive VR on cognitive function in MCI patients.

Methods: A systematic review of published literature was conducted using PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, CINAHL, Web of Science, SinoMed, CNKI, Wanfang, and VIP Database. The search period was from inception through March 1, 2024. Eligible studies were randomized controlled trials evaluating the effects of fully immersive virtual reality training on cognitive function in MCI patients. Two investigators independently performed literature screening, data extraction, and quality assessment; a meta-analysis of the included literature was performed using RevMan 5.4. The Cochrane Risk of Bias tool was used to assess the methodological quality.

Results: A total of 11 randomized controlled trials with 525 patients were included. The meta-analysis showed that fully immersive virtual reality training had significant effects on global cognitive function (MD = 2.34, 95% CI [0.55, 4.12], p = 0.01); (MD = 0.93, 95% CI [0.30, 1.56], p < 0.01), executive function (SMD = -0.60, 95% CI [-0.84, -0.35], p < 0.01), and attention (MD = 0.69, 95% CI [0.15, 1.23], p = 0.01). Still, the difference in memory (SMD = 0.27, 95% CI [-0.24, 0.78], p = 0.30) was not statistically significant. Subgroup analyses showed that executive function could be improved only when the intervention duration was ≥40 h. In contrast, excessive training (≥30 times) was counterproductive.

Conclusion: Fully immersive virtual reality training improved cognitive functioning, executive functioning, and attention in MCI patients but was less effective in improving memory. Subgroup analysis suggests that fully immersive VR training must ensure sufficient intervention duration while avoiding frequent interventions.

Systematic review registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/, PROSPERO (CRD42024498629).

Keywords: attention; cognitive function; executive function; fully immersive virtual reality; memory; meta analysis; mild cognitive impairment.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Literature screening process and results from each step of the process.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Risk of bias graph.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Literature quality and publication bias risk assessment.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Funnel plot of the global cognitive function.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Funnel plot of executive function.
Figure 6
Figure 6
Meta-analysis results of global cognitive function (MoCA).
Figure 7
Figure 7
Meta-analysis results of global cognitive function (MMSE).
Figure 8
Figure 8
Meta-analysis results of executive function.
Figure 9
Figure 9
Meta-analysis results of memory.
Figure 10
Figure 10
Meta-analysis results of attention.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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