Effectiveness of Virtual Reality-Based Cognitive Control Training Game for Children With...

Area of Science:

• Digital Health Interventions
• Neuroscience
• Child Psychology

Background:

• Digital technologies, particularly virtual reality (VR), are increasingly used for psychological interventions.
• VR application expanded during the COVID-19 pandemic, showing promise for treating attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
• Previous studies indicate VR interventions can enhance inhibitory control in children with ADHD.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of a novel VR-based cognitive control training game for children with ADHD symptoms.
• To assess the sustainability of training effects through a 3-month follow-up.
• To analyze training response patterns and influencing factors using clustering methods.

Main Methods:

• Twenty-nine children (ages 10-14) with ADHD symptoms participated in a 20-day daily VR training program.
• Assessments included cognitive tests (Stroop, Color Trails, Flanker) and behavioral checklists (CBCL) at baseline, post-training, and follow-up.
• K-means clustering was used to identify distinct training response patterns.

Main Results:

• Significant improvements were observed in Stroop test performance and Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) scores for total problems, attention problems, and ADHD symptoms.
• The training effects on the Stroop test and CBCL measures were sustained at the 3-month follow-up.
• Clustering revealed two distinct response patterns based on game performance, not related to IQ.

Conclusions:

• VR-based cognitive control training effectively improved specific aspects of cognitive control and ADHD-related behaviors in children.
• The observed benefits, particularly on the Stroop test and CBCL, demonstrated sustained effects over 3 months.
• This VR approach shows potential as a therapeutic tool for managing ADHD symptoms in pediatric populations.