Can Virtual Reality Cognitive Rehabilitation Improve Executive Functioning and Coping Strategies in Traumatic Brain...

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Rehabilitation Medicine
• Virtual Reality Applications

Background:

• Executive dysfunction is a primary disabling deficit after traumatic brain injury (TBI).
• Cognitive-behavioral approaches aim to retrain planning, problem-solving, and other executive functions.
• Non-immersive virtual reality (VR) presents a novel avenue for cognitive rehabilitation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the efficacy of non-immersive VR-based training for improving executive functions in TBI patients.
• To assess the impact of VR training on reducing anxiety and depression symptoms.
• To compare VR cognitive training (VR-CT) with conventional cognitive training (C-CT).

Main Methods:

• Twenty moderate-to-severe TBI patients were divided into VR-CT and C-CT groups.
• Both groups received Reality Orientation Therapy (ROT) and Executive Training (ET) with different modalities.
• Patients were evaluated using a psychometric battery before (T0) and after (T1) the intervention.

Main Results:

• The VR-CT group showed significant improvements in all cognitive/executive measures (MoCA, FAB, TMT-A, TMT-B, TMT-BA) and mood (HRS-D).
• The C-CT group demonstrated significant improvements in MoCA, FAB, and TMT-BA only.
• Enhanced coping strategies were observed in the VR-CT group compared to C-CT.

Conclusions:

• VR rehabilitation using the VRRS system is a valuable and motivational approach for TBI patients.
• VR training effectively improves visuo-executive abilities and coping strategies.
• VR-based interventions can positively impact mood in chronic TBI survivors.