Immersive Virtual Tasks With Motor and Cognitive Components: A Feasibility Study With Young and Older Adults

Community-Based Virtual Reality Interventions in Older Adults with Dementia and/or Cognitive Impairment: A Systematic Review

INTRODUCTION

Virtual reality devices have been widely used for the rehabilitation among older people with cognitive impairments. They enable the user to navigate in three-dimensional environments, which are constructed by a computer. Recent studies have been focused on the cognitive benefits of virtual reality for people with cognitive deficits. The current study aimed to investigate the overall impact of community-based virtual reality interventions in older adults with dementia and/or cognitive impairment.

METHODS

A systematic review of the literature was conducted according to the PRISMA guidelines. Google Scholar, PubMed, Science Direct and Scopus databases were searched for the years 2010-2022.

RESULTS

Of the 245 articles 20 met the inclusion criteria. The results of the current systematic review indicated that virtual reality improved older adults' cognitive and motor skills and increased their positive emotions while minimizing less positive ones. However, there is insufficient data of its impact on their overall quality of life.

CONCLUSION

There is a need to implement and evaluate interventions that examine its impact not only on cognitive functioning, but also on other aspects of older people with cognitive deficits.

Exploring Successful Cognitive Aging: Insights Regarding Brain Structure, Function, and Demographics

In the realm of cognitive science, the phenomenon of "successful cognitive aging" stands as a hallmark of individuals who exhibit cognitive abilities surpassing those of their age-matched counterparts. However, it is paramount to underscore a significant gap in the current research, which is marked by a paucity of comprehensive inquiries that deploy substantial sample sizes to methodically investigate the cerebral biomarkers and contributory elements underpinning this cognitive success. It is within this context that our present study emerges, harnessing data derived from the UK Biobank. In this study, a highly selective cohort of 1060 individuals aged 65 and above was meticulously curated from a larger pool of 17,072 subjects. The selection process was guided by their striking cognitive resilience, ascertained via rigorous evaluation encompassing both generic and specific cognitive assessments, compared to their peers within the same age stratum. Notably, the cognitive abilities of the chosen participants closely aligned with the cognitive acumen commonly observed in middle-aged individuals. Our study leveraged a comprehensive array of neuroimaging-derived metrics, obtained from three Tesla MRI scans (T1-weighted images, dMRI, and resting-state fMRI). The metrics included image-derived phenotypes (IDPs) that addressed grey matter morphology, the strength of brain network connectivity, and the microstructural attributes of white matter. Statistical analyses were performed employing ANOVA, Mann-Whitney U tests, and chi-square tests to evaluate the distinctive aspects of IDPs pertinent to the domain of successful cognitive aging. Furthermore, these analyses aimed to elucidate lifestyle practices that potentially underpin the maintenance of cognitive acumen throughout the aging process. Our findings unveiled a robust and compelling association between heightened cognitive aptitude and the integrity of white matter structures within the brain. Furthermore, individuals who exhibited successful cognitive aging demonstrated markedly enhanced activity in the cerebral regions responsible for auditory perception, voluntary motor control, memory retention, and emotional regulation. These advantageous cognitive attributes were mirrored in the health-related lifestyle choices of the surveyed cohort, characterized by elevated educational attainment, a lower incidence of smoking, and a penchant for moderate alcohol consumption. Moreover, they displayed superior grip strength and enhanced walking speeds. Collectively, these findings furnish valuable insights into the multifaceted determinants of successful cognitive aging, encompassing both neurobiological constituents and lifestyle practices. Such comprehensive comprehension significantly contributes to the broader discourse on aging, thereby establishing a solid foundation for the formulation of targeted interventions aimed at fostering cognitive well-being among aging populations.

Immersive Virtual Tasks with Motor and Cognitive Components: A Feasibility Study of Adults and Older Adult Fallers and Nonfallers

The objective of the present study was to compare the feasibility, safety, and satisfaction of an immersive virtual reality system developed specifically for cognitive-sensory-motor training among older adult fallers and nonfallers and adult individuals. This was a cross-sectional observational study, and 20 adults, 20 nonfaller older adults, and 20 faller older adults were assessed. The primary outcome was feasibility assessed with safety and satisfaction measures. Safety outcomes were associated with adverse events occurred during the experience with the immersive virtual reality system (IVRS), assessed through the Simulator Sickness Questionnaire and by registering the falls, pain, or any discomfort reported by the participants. Satisfaction was assessed with a structured questionnaire, answered after 10 minutes of experiencing the IVRS. The dates were assessed with one-way analysis of variance or the Kruskal-Wallis test and Bonferroni post hoc test. The results showed that the IVRS was safe and the participants related good satisfaction with the system. Most of participants related no symptoms (93.6 percent) or light cybersickness symptoms (6.0 percent). There were no occurrences of falls or pain associated with the IVRS. The IVRS was feasible for adults and nonfaller and faller older adults.