Effects of immersive leisure-based virtual reality cognitive training on cognitive and physical function in community-based older adults: A randomized controlled trial
Background Older adults are at risk of developing cognitive impairments, and cognitive training is commonly used to enhance cognitive function in this population. The effectiveness of cognitive training is further optimized with the integration of leisure-based activities, such as horticultural ther...
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| Language: | English |
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SAGE Publishing
2025-04-01
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| Series: | Digital Health |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1177/20552076251328491 |
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| author | I-Ching Chuang Auwal Abdullahi I-Chen Chen Yih-Ru Wu Ching-Yi Wu |
| author_facet | I-Ching Chuang Auwal Abdullahi I-Chen Chen Yih-Ru Wu Ching-Yi Wu |
| author_sort | I-Ching Chuang |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background Older adults are at risk of developing cognitive impairments, and cognitive training is commonly used to enhance cognitive function in this population. The effectiveness of cognitive training is further optimized with the integration of leisure-based activities, such as horticultural therapy. However, to the best of our knowledge, there is a lack of studies examining the effect of integrating virtual reality (VR) with leisure-based activities to provide real-world experiences and enhance cognitive outcomes in older adults. Furthermore, while immersive VR cognitive training has demonstrated effectiveness in enhancing multiple cognitive domains, methodological limitations—such as the absence of control groups or the use of passive controls—hinder the ability to draw conclusive conclusions regarding its comparative effectiveness. Objective This study conducted immersive leisure-based VR cognitive training in community-dwelling older adults to investigate its effectiveness on cognitive and physical functions. We employed an active control group in which participants received well-arranged leisure activities without focusing on cognitive components. Methods This cluster randomized controlled trial was conducted in the community facilities in northern Taiwan between 2022 and 2023. The VR cognitive training group received simulated gardening activities, such as planting, fertilizing, and harvesting, and tasks involving cognitive challenges, such as producing plant essential oils, for 60 min daily, 2 days per week, for 8 weeks. The control group received non-cognitive training. The outcomes evaluated were cognitive function assessed by Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), immediate memory assessed by Wechsler Memory Scale (WMS)-Word List, working memory and mental flexibility assessed by WMS-Digit Span Forward, WMS-Digit Span Backward, and WMG-Digit Span Sequencing (DSS), and physical function assessed by the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test. Results The study recruited 137 older adults. After VR cognitive training, higher significant improvements were seen in MoCA ( p < 0.001), WMS-DSS ( p = 0.015), and TUG (0.008*) compared with the control group. Conclusions This study is the first to examine the effects of fully immersive, leisure-based VR cognitive training on cognitive and physical function in community-dwelling older adults, highlighting its potential as a promising tool for promoting health compared to the non-cognitive training commonly used in community facilities. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-4f198a02ed7b4ea7867d78aba2ae632b |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2055-2076 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
| publisher | SAGE Publishing |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Digital Health |
| spelling | doaj-art-4f198a02ed7b4ea7867d78aba2ae632b2025-08-20T01:50:30ZengSAGE PublishingDigital Health2055-20762025-04-011110.1177/20552076251328491Effects of immersive leisure-based virtual reality cognitive training on cognitive and physical function in community-based older adults: A randomized controlled trialI-Ching Chuang0Auwal Abdullahi1I-Chen Chen2Yih-Ru Wu3Ching-Yi Wu4 Department of Neurology, , Taoyuan Department of Physiotherapy, Federal Medical Centre Nguru, Yobe State, Nigeria Department of Occupational Therapy, College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Da-Yeh University, Changhua College of Medicine, , Taoyuan Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, TaoyuanBackground Older adults are at risk of developing cognitive impairments, and cognitive training is commonly used to enhance cognitive function in this population. The effectiveness of cognitive training is further optimized with the integration of leisure-based activities, such as horticultural therapy. However, to the best of our knowledge, there is a lack of studies examining the effect of integrating virtual reality (VR) with leisure-based activities to provide real-world experiences and enhance cognitive outcomes in older adults. Furthermore, while immersive VR cognitive training has demonstrated effectiveness in enhancing multiple cognitive domains, methodological limitations—such as the absence of control groups or the use of passive controls—hinder the ability to draw conclusive conclusions regarding its comparative effectiveness. Objective This study conducted immersive leisure-based VR cognitive training in community-dwelling older adults to investigate its effectiveness on cognitive and physical functions. We employed an active control group in which participants received well-arranged leisure activities without focusing on cognitive components. Methods This cluster randomized controlled trial was conducted in the community facilities in northern Taiwan between 2022 and 2023. The VR cognitive training group received simulated gardening activities, such as planting, fertilizing, and harvesting, and tasks involving cognitive challenges, such as producing plant essential oils, for 60 min daily, 2 days per week, for 8 weeks. The control group received non-cognitive training. The outcomes evaluated were cognitive function assessed by Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), immediate memory assessed by Wechsler Memory Scale (WMS)-Word List, working memory and mental flexibility assessed by WMS-Digit Span Forward, WMS-Digit Span Backward, and WMG-Digit Span Sequencing (DSS), and physical function assessed by the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test. Results The study recruited 137 older adults. After VR cognitive training, higher significant improvements were seen in MoCA ( p < 0.001), WMS-DSS ( p = 0.015), and TUG (0.008*) compared with the control group. Conclusions This study is the first to examine the effects of fully immersive, leisure-based VR cognitive training on cognitive and physical function in community-dwelling older adults, highlighting its potential as a promising tool for promoting health compared to the non-cognitive training commonly used in community facilities.https://doi.org/10.1177/20552076251328491 |
| spellingShingle | I-Ching Chuang Auwal Abdullahi I-Chen Chen Yih-Ru Wu Ching-Yi Wu Effects of immersive leisure-based virtual reality cognitive training on cognitive and physical function in community-based older adults: A randomized controlled trial Digital Health |
| title | Effects of immersive leisure-based virtual reality cognitive training on cognitive and physical function in community-based older adults: A randomized
controlled trial |
| title_full | Effects of immersive leisure-based virtual reality cognitive training on cognitive and physical function in community-based older adults: A randomized
controlled trial |
| title_fullStr | Effects of immersive leisure-based virtual reality cognitive training on cognitive and physical function in community-based older adults: A randomized
controlled trial |
| title_full_unstemmed | Effects of immersive leisure-based virtual reality cognitive training on cognitive and physical function in community-based older adults: A randomized
controlled trial |
| title_short | Effects of immersive leisure-based virtual reality cognitive training on cognitive and physical function in community-based older adults: A randomized
controlled trial |
| title_sort | effects of immersive leisure based virtual reality cognitive training on cognitive and physical function in community based older adults a randomized controlled trial |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1177/20552076251328491 |
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