Effectiveness of Virtual Reality Based Cognitive Rehabilitation on Cognitive Function, Motivation and Depression in Stroke Patients

Background/Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of virtual reality cognitive training on cognitive function, rehabilitation motivation, and depression in patients with sub-acute stroke.

Method/Statistical Analysis:Total 22 patients with sub-acute stroke were included in our study. All stroke patients were classified either into experimental group (n = 11) or control group (n = 11). The experimental group performed virtual reality cognitive training on each session during 30 min/day, and control group conducted conventional cognitive therapy on each session during 30 min/day. The outcome measures were the LOTCA (Lowenstein Occupational Therapy Cognitive Assessment), VQ (Volitional questionnaire), BDI (Beck Depression Inventory) before and after intervention.

Findings: The both groups showed significant improvements in cognitive function before and after intervention (p<.05). The experimental group showed significant reduction in depression before and after the intervention (p<.05), but there was no significant change in the control group (p>.05). In comparisons for change score between the two groups, the experimental group showed a significant greater improvements in cognitive function and rehabilitation motivation than control group (p<.05).

Improvements/Applications: These findings suggest that virtual reality cognitive training may have a effects of the improvements of cognitive function and rehabilitation motivation than conventional cognitive therapy in sub-acute stroke.