Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 4, 2026

Lexical Decision Task for Studying Written Word Recognition in Adults with and without Dementia or Mild Cognitive Impairment
Published on: June 25, 2019
The effects of virtual reality-based interventions on cognitive function, depressive symptoms, and daily functioning
Liang Chen1, Yulin Sun2, Qifeng Han3
1School of Physical Education and Health, Yili Normal University, Yining, China.
Objective:
To evaluate the efficacy of virtual reality (VR) interventions in improving cognitive function, depressive symptoms, and daily living ability in older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI).
Methods:
Eligible randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were systematically retrieved from eight databases and quantitatively synthesized in a meta-analysis. Study quality was appraised using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool and the GRADE framework.
Results:
A total of 24 RCTs involving 1,381 participants were included. VR interventions were associated with moderate improvements in overall cognitive function (SMD = 0.55, 95% CI: 0.36-0.73, p < 0.0001), although the certainty of this evidence was rated as low. Subgroup analyses showed that immersive VR and purely cognitive VR were more effective than other types. VR also significantly improved attention (Digit Span Forward: MD = 0.39, p = 0.004), processing speed (TMT-A: MD = -4.34, p = 0.01), and executive function (TMT-B: MD = -15.76, p = 0.009; Digit Span Backward: MD = 0.33, p < 0.001). Statistical analysis indicated an absence of significant improvement in daily living performance (SMD = 0.58, p = 0.19) and depressive symptoms (SMD = -0.75, p = 0.18).
Conclusion:
VR interventions, particularly immersive and cognitive-focused types, may enhance cognitive performance in individuals with MCI, especially in attention, processing speed, and executive function. However, current evidence does not support clear benefits for daily functioning or depressive symptoms. Further high-quality studies with long term follow up are needed.
Systematic Review Registration:
https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/view/ CRD420251002107, ID: CRD420251002107.
Related Concept Videos
Cognitive Dissonance
Negative and Cognitive Symptoms of Schizophrenia
Negative Symptoms
Negative symptoms of schizophrenia manifest as deficits in normal emotional and behavioral functioning, profoundly impacting daily life. Individuals with schizophrenia often display a flat affect, characterized by a near-total absence of emotional expression,...
Random and Systematic Errors
Revisionist Views of Adolescent and Adult Cognition
Cognition and Behavior
Cognitive Learning
E. C. Tolman's theory of purposive behavior emphasizes that much behavior is goal-directed. He argued that to understand behavior, we must look at the entire sequence of actions leading to a goal. For instance, high school students study hard, not just due to past reinforcement but also to achieve the goal of getting into a good college.
Tolman introduced the idea that behavior is influenced by...

