VR and Computerized Cognitive Rehabilitation for Brain Injury: A Systematic Review

Objective(s): Comprehensive review and evaluation of efficacy and outcomes of virtual reality (VR) and computerized cognitive rehabilitation interventions for adults who suffered an acquired brain injury (ABI).

Data Sources: A search was conducted using Medline, PubMed, EMBASE, Ovid, Cochrane, PsychINFO, and CINAHL. Search terms reflected the intervention type [computerized cognitive rehabilitation or computerized cognitive training or virtual reality], target cognitive domain [cognitive or attention or executive or memory or processing speed or visuo-spatial or working memory], and target ABI population [ABI or brain injury or brain infection or CVA or hypoxia or stroke or TBI].

Study Selection: Adults (at least 18 years of age) who have experienced an acquired brain injury (ABI) of any severity, such as: alcohol-related brain damage, anoxic brain damage/hypoxia, brain infection, brain tumor, cerebrovascular accident (CVA), epilepsy, stroke, or traumatic brain injury (TBI).

Data Extraction: All articles were assessed by the two independent reviewers, using Cicerone et al. (2009) criteria. Data collected included sample size, diagnosis, intervention, treatment schedule, assessment methods, outcome measures, and results.

Data Synthesis: The initial search yielded a total of 1284 articles; narrowed down to 290 after title review, and further reduced to 101 after abstracts review was completed. 50 studies met inclusion criteria after a full-text review. Studies that met criteria for Class I, II, and III evidence were included. Most studies were conducted in stroke population. There is evidence of improvement in cognitive functioning in ABI following computerized and VR interventions.

Conclusions: The evidence indicates improvements in cognitive functioning following computerized and VR-based cognitive rehabilitation training. Further research is needed to address gaps in the literature and to inform treatment recommendations.

Author(s) Disclosures: No disclosures