ABSTRACT
Objective
To determine the effects of virtual reality (VR) rehabilitation training on the cognitive function and activities of daily living (ADLs) of patients with post-stroke cognitive impairment (PSCI).
Data sources
Four Chinese databases and six English databases were systematically searched for studies published until August 31, 2021, by using MeSH terms such as virtual reality, cognition disorders, cognitive dysfunction, and stroke, and free terms such as virtual environment, VR, cognition impairment, cerebrovascular accident, and PSCI.
Study Selection
Randomized controlled trials treating PSCI with VR training were included. The control groups received conventional treatments such as conventional rehabilitation training and drug therapy; the experimental groups received VR rehabilitation training. The outcome measures were cognitive function and ADLs.
Data Extraction
Two researchers independently extracted key information from eligible studies. The methodological quality of the studies was evaluated using the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions v5.1.0. Meta-analysis was performed using RevMan v5.4. We followed the PRISMA 2020 guidelines.
Data synthesis
Twenty-one studies (1149 participants) were included. Meta-analyses found that compared with the control group, VR rehabilitation training increased MMSE, MoCA, LOTCA, RBMT-II, BI, MBI, and FIM scores, P300 amplitude, and the NAA/Cr ratio on 1H-MRS, and reduced P300 latency, TMT scores, and the Cho/Cr ratio on 1H-MRS (all P < 0.05). These results indicated that VR training improved cognitive function and ADLs in PSCI.
Conclusion
VR rehabilitation training promotes the rehabilitation of cognitive function and recovery of ADLs in PSCI patients, and may be a good complementary approach to conventional cognitive interventions.
List of abbreviations
PSCI – post-stroke cognitive impairment
ADLs – activities of daily living
VR – virtual reality
TBI Rehabilitation 