Feasibility, Usability and Acceptance of a Multi-Component Cognitive Intervention Using Immersive Virtual Reality and...

Background/Objectives: Dementia is a major global health challenge, with prevention strategies increasingly focusing on the preclinical stage of Subjective Cognitive Decline (SCD). This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility, usability, and acceptability of a 5-week immersive virtual reality and telemedicine-based multicomponent intervention, combining cognitive training with a health and lifestyle education program, in individuals with SCD. Methods: Thirty-nine individuals with SCD were randomly allocated to either the multi-component intervention (MC-I; n = 19) or the cognitive-only intervention (CO-I; n = 20). Both programs were delivered remotely via head-mounted displays and monitored through a telemedicine platform. Feasibility was assessed through retention, adherence, and safety measures. Post-intervention, participants completed the System Usability Scale (SUS), User Satisfaction Evaluation Questionnaire (USEQ), NASA Task Load Index (NASA-TLX), and Simulator Sickness Questionnaire (SSQ). Results: High feasibility was demonstrated by a 100% retention rate and 92% adherence. Both groups reported "excellent" usability (SUS mean: 84.04) and high satisfaction (USEQ mean: 26.7), with no significant differences between groups. The NASA-TLX reflected a moderate workload (mean: 56.1), characterized by high mental demand but low frustration. Safety was confirmed by remarkably low SSQ scores, indicating negligible cybersickness. Conclusions: The results provide strong preliminary evidence that a home-based, multi-component IVR intervention is safe, usable, and highly accepted by individuals with SCD. Integrating lifestyle education does not increase the perceived burden, supporting the scalability of this remote digital approach for dementia secondary prevention.