Development and Validation of Virtual Reality Cognitive Training for Older Adults with Mild Cognitive Impairment: Protocol for a Mixed-Methods Program Evaluation Study.
{"title":"Development and Validation of Virtual Reality Cognitive Training for Older Adults with Mild Cognitive Impairment: Protocol for a Mixed-Methods Program Evaluation Study.","authors":"I-Chen Chen, Ching-Yi Wu, Yi-Ling Hu, Yen-Ming Huang","doi":"10.2147/CIA.S471547","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>As research on cognitive training methods for older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) progresses, fully immersive virtual reality cognitive training (fi-VRCT) has shown promise in enhancing cognitive function. However, its effectiveness in improving instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) and fostering independence is still unclear. This study aims to address these uncertainties by developing and validating a fi-VRCT program focused on IADL, with the goal of enhancing both cognitive function and IADL performance in older adults with MCI.</p><p><strong>Methods and analysis: </strong>This mixed methods program evaluation study consists of three phases: feasibility, intervention, and extension. In the feasibility phase, we will implement fi-VRCT in real-world community settings and invite 20 older adults with MCI to participate in a single training session. Participants will provide feedback through questionnaires and individual interviews. The intervention phase will involve a double-blind, cluster-randomized controlled trial with 52 older adults with MCI, who will be randomly assigned to either the fi-VRCT or control groups. Both groups will complete 16 sessions over eight weeks, with cognitive and functional performance assessed at various intervals. During the extension phase, feedback will be gathered from 26 participants who underwent fi-VRCT through focus group interviews and ongoing questionnaires. Quantitative and qualitative findings will be synthesized to refine the fi-VRCT program and elucidate training outcomes. Ultimately, fi-VRCT has the potential to enhance cognitive and functional abilities in older adults with MCI in community settings.</p><p><strong>Ethics and dissemination: </strong>Ethical approval has been obtained from the Research Ethics Committee at National Taiwan Normal University (202312EM009). The research findings will be disseminated through reputable, peer-reviewed journals and professional international conferences to engage and inform academic and clinical audiences.</p><p><strong>Trial registration: </strong>NCT06392412.</p>","PeriodicalId":48841,"journal":{"name":"Clinical Interventions in Aging","volume":"19 ","pages":"1855-1865"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5000,"publicationDate":"2024-11-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11559226/pdf/","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Clinical Interventions in Aging","FirstCategoryId":"3","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.2147/CIA.S471547","RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"2024/1/1 0:00:00","PubModel":"eCollection","JCR":"Q2","JCRName":"GERIATRICS & GERONTOLOGY","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Introduction: As research on cognitive training methods for older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) progresses, fully immersive virtual reality cognitive training (fi-VRCT) has shown promise in enhancing cognitive function. However, its effectiveness in improving instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) and fostering independence is still unclear. This study aims to address these uncertainties by developing and validating a fi-VRCT program focused on IADL, with the goal of enhancing both cognitive function and IADL performance in older adults with MCI.
Methods and analysis: This mixed methods program evaluation study consists of three phases: feasibility, intervention, and extension. In the feasibility phase, we will implement fi-VRCT in real-world community settings and invite 20 older adults with MCI to participate in a single training session. Participants will provide feedback through questionnaires and individual interviews. The intervention phase will involve a double-blind, cluster-randomized controlled trial with 52 older adults with MCI, who will be randomly assigned to either the fi-VRCT or control groups. Both groups will complete 16 sessions over eight weeks, with cognitive and functional performance assessed at various intervals. During the extension phase, feedback will be gathered from 26 participants who underwent fi-VRCT through focus group interviews and ongoing questionnaires. Quantitative and qualitative findings will be synthesized to refine the fi-VRCT program and elucidate training outcomes. Ultimately, fi-VRCT has the potential to enhance cognitive and functional abilities in older adults with MCI in community settings.
Ethics and dissemination: Ethical approval has been obtained from the Research Ethics Committee at National Taiwan Normal University (202312EM009). The research findings will be disseminated through reputable, peer-reviewed journals and professional international conferences to engage and inform academic and clinical audiences.
期刊介绍:
Clinical Interventions in Aging, is an online, peer reviewed, open access journal focusing on concise rapid reporting of original research and reviews in aging. Special attention will be given to papers reporting on actual or potential clinical applications leading to improved prevention or treatment of disease or a greater understanding of pathological processes that result from maladaptive changes in the body associated with aging. This journal is directed at a wide array of scientists, engineers, pharmacists, pharmacologists and clinical specialists wishing to maintain an up to date knowledge of this exciting and emerging field.