Benefits of virtual reality based cognitive rehabilitation through simulated activities of daily living: a randomized co
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RESEARCH
Open Access
Benefits of virtual reality based cognitive rehabilitation through simulated activities of daily living: a randomized controlled trial with stroke patients Ana Lúcia Faria1,2*† , Andreia Andrade3†, Luísa Soares1,3 and Sergi Bermúdez i Badia1,3
Abstract Background: Stroke is one of the most common causes of acquired disability, leaving numerous adults with cognitive and motor impairments, and affecting patients’ capability to live independently. There is substancial evidence on post-stroke cognitive rehabilitation benefits, but its implementation is generally limited by the use of paper-and-pencil methods, insufficient personalization, and suboptimal intensity. Virtual reality tools have shown potential for improving cognitive rehabilitation by supporting carefully personalized, ecologically valid tasks through accessible technologies. Notwithstanding important progress in VR-based cognitive rehabilitation systems, specially with Activities of Daily Living (ADL’s) simulations, there is still a need of more clinical trials for its validation. In this work we present a one-month randomized controlled trial with 18 stroke in and outpatients from two rehabilitation units: 9 performing a VR-based intervention and 9 performing conventional rehabilitation. Methods: The VR-based intervention involved a virtual simulation of a city – Reh@City - where memory, attention, visuo-spatial abilities and executive functions tasks are integrated in the performance of several daily routines. The intervention had levels of difficulty progression through a method of fading cues. There was a pre and postintervention assessment in both groups with the Addenbrooke Cognitive Examination (primary outcome) and the Trail Making Test A and B, Picture Arrangement from WAIS III and Stroke Impact Scale 3.0 (secondary outcomes). Results: A within groups analysis revealed significant improvements in global cognitive functioning, attention, memory, visuo-spatial abilities, executive functions, emotion and overall recovery in the VR group. The control group only improved in self-reported memory and social participation. A between groups analysis, showed significantly greater improvements in global cognitive functioning, attention and executive functions when comparing VR to conventional therapy. Conclusions: Our results suggest that cognitive rehabilitation through the Reh@City, an ecologically valid VR system for the training of ADL’s, has more impact than conventional methods. Trial registration: This trial was not registered because it is a small sample study that evaluates the clinical validity of a prototype virtual reality system. Keywords: Cognitive rehabilitation, Virtual reality, Ecological validity, Stroke
* Correspondence: [email protected] † Equal contributors 1 Madeira Interactive Technologies Institute, Funchal, Madeira, Portugal 2 Faculdade de Psicologia e de Ciências da Educação da Universidade de Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal Full list of author information is available at the end of the article © The Author(s)
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