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Johansen T, Matre M, Løvstad M, Lund A, Martinsen AC, Olsen A, Becker F, Brunborg C, Ponsford J, Spikman J, Neumann D, Tornås S. Virtual reality as a method of cognitive training of processing speed, working memory, and sustained attention in persons with acquired brain injury: a protocol for a randomized controlled trial. Trials 2024; 25:340. [PMID: 38778411 PMCID: PMC11110309 DOI: 10.1186/s13063-024-08178-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Acquired brain injury (ABI) often leads to persisting somatic, cognitive, and social impairments. Cognitive impairments of processing speed, sustained attention, and working memory are frequently reported and may negatively affect activities of daily living and quality of life. Rehabilitation efforts aiming to retrain these cognitive functions have often consisted of computerized training programs. However, few studies have demonstrated effects that transfer beyond the trained tasks. There is a growing optimism regarding the potential usefulness of virtual reality (VR) in cognitive rehabilitation. The research literature is sparse, and existing studies are characterized by considerable methodological weaknesses. There is also a lack of knowledge about the acceptance and tolerability of VR as an intervention method for people with ABI. The present study aims to investigate whether playing a commercially available VR game is effective in training cognitive functions after ABI and to explore if the possible effects transfer into everyday functioning. METHODS One hundred participants (18-65 years), with a verified ABI, impairments of processing speed/attention, and/or working memory, and a minimum of 12 months post injury will be recruited. Participants with severe aphasia, apraxia, visual neglect, epilepsy, and severe mental illness will be excluded. Participants will be randomized into two parallel groups: (1) an intervention group playing a commercial VR game taxing processing speed, working memory, and sustained attention; (2) an active control group receiving psychoeducation regarding compensatory strategies, and general cognitive training tasks such as crossword puzzles or sudoku. The intervention period is 5 weeks. The VR group will be asked to train at home for 30 min 5 days per week. Each participant will be assessed at baseline with neuropsychological tests and questionnaires, after the end of the intervention (5 weeks), and 16 weeks after baseline. After the end of the intervention period, focus group interviews will be conducted with 10 of the participants in the intervention group, in order to investigate acceptance and tolerability of VR as a training method. DISCUSSION This study will contribute to improve understanding of how VR is tolerated and experienced by the ABI population. If proven effective, the study can contribute to new rehabilitation methods that persons with ABI can utilize in a home setting, after the post-acute rehabilitation has ended.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Johansen
- Department of Research, Sunnaas Rehabilitation Hospital, Nesodden, Norway.
- Department of Occupational Therapy, Institute of Rehabilitation Science and Health Technology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Oslo Metropolitan University, Oslo, Norway.
| | - M Matre
- Department of Research, Sunnaas Rehabilitation Hospital, Nesodden, Norway
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - M Løvstad
- Department of Research, Sunnaas Rehabilitation Hospital, Nesodden, Norway
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - A Lund
- Department of Occupational Therapy, Institute of Rehabilitation Science and Health Technology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Oslo Metropolitan University, Oslo, Norway
| | - A C Martinsen
- Department of Research, Sunnaas Rehabilitation Hospital, Nesodden, Norway
- Department of Life Sciences and Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Oslo Metropolitan University, Oslo, Norway
| | - A Olsen
- Department of Psychology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
- Clinic of Rehabilitation, St. Olavs Hospital, Trondheim University Hospital, Trondheim, Norway
- NorHEAD - Norwegian Centre for Headache Research, Trondheim, Norway
| | - F Becker
- Department of Research, Sunnaas Rehabilitation Hospital, Nesodden, Norway
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - C Brunborg
- Oslo Centre for Biostatistics & Epidemiology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - J Ponsford
- Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
- Monash-Epworth Rehabilitation Research Centre, Epworth Healthcare, Richmond, Australia
| | - J Spikman
- Department of Neurology, Subdepartment of Neuropsychology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - D Neumann
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, USA
| | - S Tornås
- Department of Research, Sunnaas Rehabilitation Hospital, Nesodden, Norway
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Løke D, Andelic N, Helseth E, Vassend O, Andersson S, Ponsford JL, Tverdal C, Brunborg C, Løvstad M. Stability and Change in Biopsychosocial Factors Associated With Fatigue 6 and 12 Months After Traumatic Brain Injury: An Exploratory Multilevel Study. J Head Trauma Rehabil 2023; 38:E244-E253. [PMID: 36602267 DOI: 10.1097/htr.0000000000000847] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To explore factors associated with stability and change in fatigue from 6 to 12 months following traumatic brain injury (TBI). SETTING Combined in- and outpatient acute care and postacute rehabilitation settings. PARTICIPANTS A total of 103 patients with confirmed intracranial injury were assessed 6 and/or 12 months following TBI. DESIGN A prospective observational study with repeated measures at 2 time points, analyzed with a hybrid mixed-effects model. MAIN MEASURES Primary outcomes were the fatigue factor derived from items from several fatigue patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs; Fatigue Severity Scale, Chalder Fatigue Scale, Giessen Subjective Complaints List-fatigue subscale, and Rivermead Post-Concussion Symptoms Questionnaire-fatigue item) Secondary outcomes were PROMs relating to pain, somatic and psychological distress, insomnia, sleepiness, personality traits, optimism, resilience, behavioral activation and inhibition, and loneliness, as well as neuropsychological measures. Demographic variables and injury severity characteristics were included as covariates. RESULTS In multilevel regression, female sex, years of education, and 3 factors related to injury severity, somatic vulnerability, and psychosocial robustness were all significantly associated with variation in fatigue between subjects, and explained 61% of the variance in fatigue that was due to stable between-subject differences. Fatigue levels declined significantly over time. Changes in pain severity, somatic symptom burden, psychological distress, and behavioral inhibition were positively associated with changes in fatigue, explaining 22% of the variance in fatigue within subjects. CONCLUSIONS The study demonstrated that several previously implicated factors show robust effects in distinguishing individuals with TBI on levels of fatigue, but only a few show additional within-subject associations across time. Pain severity, somatic symptom burden, psychological distress, and behavioral inhibition correlated with fatigue across time, implicating these factors as crucial targets for rehabilitation of patients with TBI who suffer from persistent fatigue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Løke
- Department of Research, Sunnaas Rehabilitation Hospital, Bjørnemyr, Norway (Mr Løke and Dr Løvstad); Department of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway (Mr Løke and Drs Vassend, Andersson, and Løvstad); Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, and Institute of Health and Society, Center for Habilitation and Rehabilitation Models and Services (CHARM), University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway (Dr Andelic); Department of Neurosurgery, Ullevål Hospital, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, and Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway (Drs Helseth and Tverdal); Psychosomatic and CL Psychiatry, Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway (Dr Andersson); Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, and Monash-Epworth Rehabilitation Research Centre, Epworth Healthcare, Melbourne, Australia (Dr Ponsford); and Oslo Centre for Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Research Support Services, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway (Ms Brunborg)
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