Cognitive Rehabilitation Post Traumatic Brain Injury: A Systematic Review for Emerging Use of Virtual Reality Technology
Journal of Clinical Neuroscience
Alashram, A. R., Annino, G., et al. (2019).
Journal of Clinical Neuroscience, 66, 209-219.
This systematic review investigates the effects of virtual reality (VR) on cognitive function in individuals diagnosed with traumatic brain injury (TBI).
Not stated
Database inception to February 2019
Peer-reviewed, published studies
9
<div>For individuals diagnosed with TBI, nine studies investigating the use of VR for cognitive rehabilitation found overall improvement in cognition. Specific findings included:</div>
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<ul>
<li>Five studies targeting memory outcomes reported improvements in different memory aspects; however, two studies reported no change on at least one of the memory tasks measured.</li>
<li>Three out of five studies targeting executive function reported significant improvements, while two studies found no significant difference in executive function.</li>
<li>Three out of four studies investigating attention reported significant improvements, while one study found no significant difference.</li>
</ul>
<div>The authors of this review conclude "VR training intervention may improve memory and executive function as an aspect of cognitive function in patients with traumatic brain injury. There was weak evidence for positive effect of VR intervention on attention post TBI" (p. 218). Further research on VR treatment protocols is needed.</div>
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