A Study on Content Design for Cognitive Function Improvement in VR-based Mild Cognitive Impairment

The increasing societal issue of dementia, resulting from rapid aging, has emphasized the significance of proactive intervention in Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI), which is a pre-dementia stage. This study examined six cognitive functions of individuals with MCI, including memory, language ability, attention, visual-spatial skills, executive function, and orientation, based on prior research. A case analysis was conducted on three types of VR content: gamified, interactive virtual reality, and social VR. The study identified effective VR content design elements for cognitive improvement. It proposed design directions that focused on storytelling related to everyday life, user-friendly interactive designs for easy communication, a rich communicative environment with virtual avatars, and prioritizing user convenience and accessibility. These directions are expected to contribute to enhancing cognitive functions and preventing dementia.