Neurotechnological Approaches to Cognitive Rehabilitation in Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Systematic Review of Neuromodulation, EEG, Virtual Reality, and Emerging AI Applications
<i>Background/Objectives:</i> Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) represents a clinical syndrome characterized by cognitive decline greater than expected for an individual’s age and education level but not severe enough to significantly interfere with daily activities, with variable trajecto...
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2025-05-01
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| author | Evgenia Gkintoni Stephanos P. Vassilopoulos Georgios Nikolaou Apostolos Vantarakis |
| author_facet | Evgenia Gkintoni Stephanos P. Vassilopoulos Georgios Nikolaou Apostolos Vantarakis |
| author_sort | Evgenia Gkintoni |
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| description | <i>Background/Objectives:</i> Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) represents a clinical syndrome characterized by cognitive decline greater than expected for an individual’s age and education level but not severe enough to significantly interfere with daily activities, with variable trajectories that may remain stable, progress to dementia, or occasionally revert to normal cognition. This systematic review examines neurotechnological approaches to cognitive rehabilitation in MCI populations, including neuromodulation, electroencephalography (EEG), virtual reality (VR), cognitive training, physical exercise, and artificial intelligence (AI) applications. <i>Methods:</i> A systematic review following PRISMA guidelines was conducted on 34 empirical studies published between 2014 and 2024. Studies were identified through comprehensive database searches and included if they employed neurotechnological interventions targeting cognitive outcomes in individuals with MCI. <i>Results:</i> Evidence indicates promising outcomes across multiple intervention types. Neuromodulation techniques showed beneficial effects on memory and executive function. EEG analyses identified characteristic neurophysiological markers of MCI with potential for early detection and monitoring. Virtual reality enhanced assessment sensitivity and rehabilitation engagement through ecologically valid environments. Cognitive training demonstrated the most excellent efficacy with multi-domain, adaptive approaches. Physical exercise interventions yielded improvements through multiple neurobiological pathways. Emerging AI applications showed potential for personalized assessment and intervention through predictive modeling and adaptive algorithms. <i>Conclusions:</i> Neurotechnological approaches offer promising avenues for MCI rehabilitation, with the most substantial evidence for integrated interventions targeting multiple mechanisms. Neurophysiological monitoring provides valuable biomarkers for diagnosis and treatment response. Future research should focus on more extensive clinical trials, standardized protocols, and accessible implementation models to translate these technological advances into clinical practice. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-4203bb32b4b344ecbf5be105322b8ac5 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2076-3425 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
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| record_format | Article |
| series | Brain Sciences |
| spelling | doaj-art-4203bb32b4b344ecbf5be105322b8ac52025-08-20T02:24:29ZengMDPI AGBrain Sciences2076-34252025-05-0115658210.3390/brainsci15060582Neurotechnological Approaches to Cognitive Rehabilitation in Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Systematic Review of Neuromodulation, EEG, Virtual Reality, and Emerging AI ApplicationsEvgenia Gkintoni0Stephanos P. Vassilopoulos1Georgios Nikolaou2Apostolos Vantarakis3Department of Educational Sciences and Social Work, University of Patras, 26504 Patras, GreeceDepartment of Educational Sciences and Social Work, University of Patras, 26504 Patras, GreeceDepartment of Educational Sciences and Social Work, University of Patras, 26504 Patras, GreeceLab of Public Health, Department of Medicine, University of Patras, 26504 Patras, Greece<i>Background/Objectives:</i> Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) represents a clinical syndrome characterized by cognitive decline greater than expected for an individual’s age and education level but not severe enough to significantly interfere with daily activities, with variable trajectories that may remain stable, progress to dementia, or occasionally revert to normal cognition. This systematic review examines neurotechnological approaches to cognitive rehabilitation in MCI populations, including neuromodulation, electroencephalography (EEG), virtual reality (VR), cognitive training, physical exercise, and artificial intelligence (AI) applications. <i>Methods:</i> A systematic review following PRISMA guidelines was conducted on 34 empirical studies published between 2014 and 2024. Studies were identified through comprehensive database searches and included if they employed neurotechnological interventions targeting cognitive outcomes in individuals with MCI. <i>Results:</i> Evidence indicates promising outcomes across multiple intervention types. Neuromodulation techniques showed beneficial effects on memory and executive function. EEG analyses identified characteristic neurophysiological markers of MCI with potential for early detection and monitoring. Virtual reality enhanced assessment sensitivity and rehabilitation engagement through ecologically valid environments. Cognitive training demonstrated the most excellent efficacy with multi-domain, adaptive approaches. Physical exercise interventions yielded improvements through multiple neurobiological pathways. Emerging AI applications showed potential for personalized assessment and intervention through predictive modeling and adaptive algorithms. <i>Conclusions:</i> Neurotechnological approaches offer promising avenues for MCI rehabilitation, with the most substantial evidence for integrated interventions targeting multiple mechanisms. Neurophysiological monitoring provides valuable biomarkers for diagnosis and treatment response. Future research should focus on more extensive clinical trials, standardized protocols, and accessible implementation models to translate these technological advances into clinical practice.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3425/15/6/582mild cognitive impairment (MCI)cognitive rehabilitationneuromodulationelectroencephalography (EEG)virtual reality (VR)cognitive training |
| spellingShingle | Evgenia Gkintoni Stephanos P. Vassilopoulos Georgios Nikolaou Apostolos Vantarakis Neurotechnological Approaches to Cognitive Rehabilitation in Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Systematic Review of Neuromodulation, EEG, Virtual Reality, and Emerging AI Applications Brain Sciences mild cognitive impairment (MCI) cognitive rehabilitation neuromodulation electroencephalography (EEG) virtual reality (VR) cognitive training |
| title | Neurotechnological Approaches to Cognitive Rehabilitation in Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Systematic Review of Neuromodulation, EEG, Virtual Reality, and Emerging AI Applications |
| title_full | Neurotechnological Approaches to Cognitive Rehabilitation in Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Systematic Review of Neuromodulation, EEG, Virtual Reality, and Emerging AI Applications |
| title_fullStr | Neurotechnological Approaches to Cognitive Rehabilitation in Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Systematic Review of Neuromodulation, EEG, Virtual Reality, and Emerging AI Applications |
| title_full_unstemmed | Neurotechnological Approaches to Cognitive Rehabilitation in Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Systematic Review of Neuromodulation, EEG, Virtual Reality, and Emerging AI Applications |
| title_short | Neurotechnological Approaches to Cognitive Rehabilitation in Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Systematic Review of Neuromodulation, EEG, Virtual Reality, and Emerging AI Applications |
| title_sort | neurotechnological approaches to cognitive rehabilitation in mild cognitive impairment a systematic review of neuromodulation eeg virtual reality and emerging ai applications |
| topic | mild cognitive impairment (MCI) cognitive rehabilitation neuromodulation electroencephalography (EEG) virtual reality (VR) cognitive training |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3425/15/6/582 |
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