Virtual Reality Cognitive Stimulation for Alzheimer's

Universidad de Burgos33 enrolled

Overview

This study aims to evaluate whether immersive virtual reality (VR) can improve cognitive function and memory in patients with Alzheimer's disease. Twenty participants in Burgos, Spain, will engage in VR sessions that recreate scenes from 1960s Burgos, representing environments familiar from the participants' youth. The effects of these VR-based cognitive stimulation sessions will be assessed through pre- and post-intervention evaluations, including behavioral observations, EEG monitoring of brain activity, and standardized neurocognitive tests (Montreal Cognitive Assessment, Clock-Drawing Test, and Verbal Fluency Test).

Introduction: Alzheimer's disease is a neurodegenerative condition characterized by progressive cognitive decline. Virtual reality (VR) technologies offer an innovative approach to cognitive stimulation in patients with this condition. This study will evaluate the impact of VR on memory and cognition improvement in patients with Alzheimer's disease in Burgos. Objective: Evaluate the effectiveness of cognitive and memory stimulation through virtual reality experiences in patients with Alzheimer's disease, using behavioral analysis, biometric data (EEG), and neurocognitive testing. Methodology: A total of 20 patients diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease at a specialized center in Burgos will be selected. The patients will be exposed to virtual reality scenarios recreating the city of Burgos in the 1960s, a period corresponding to their youth. Their cognitive and emotional status will be assessed before and after the sessions using neurocognitive tests, behavioral monitoring, and biometric data recording (EEG). Analyses of variance (ANOVA), analyses of covariance (ANCOVA), and multivariate analyses of variance (MANOVA) were perfomed

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

SUPPORTIVE_CARE

Masking

SINGLE

Enrollment

Interventions

Virtual realityOTHER

The intervention consists of a series of immersive virtual reality (VR) sessions designed to provide cognitive stimulation for patients diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. Participants in the experimental group will be exposed to VR environments that recreate the city of Burgos as it appeared in the 1960s, an era corresponding to their youth. These VR experiences will include familiar scenes, landmarks, and culturally relevant settings designed to evoke personal memories and enhance cognitive engagement.

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 60 YearsMax age: 90 YearsHealthy volunteers:

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment * Aged 60 years or older. * Resident or attending care at the Alzheimer's care center in Burgos. * Capable of providing informed consent, either directly or through a legally authorized representative. * Adequate vision and hearing (corrected if necessary) to engage with the VR experience. * Able to tolerate wearing a VR headset for sessions of approximately 15-30 minutes. Exclusion Criteria: * Diagnosis of other neurodegenerative disorders (e.g., Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, multiple sclerosis). * History of severe psychiatric disorders (e.g., schizophrenia, bipolar disorder). * Severe vision or hearing impairment that cannot be corrected (e.g., legal blindness). * History of epilepsy, seizure disorders, or other conditions that may be aggravated by VR exposure. * Active skin conditions or infections that prevent the use of a VR headset or EEG sensors. * Participation in another interventional clinical trial within the last 30 days.

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Change in Cognitive Function (Montreal Cognitive Assessment - MoCA)

Change in cognitive function will be assessed using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). The MoCA evaluates multiple cognitive domains, including memory, attention, language, executive function, and visuospatial abilities. Total scores range from 0 to 30, with higher scores indicating better cognitive function. The change score will be calculated as the post-intervention score minus the baseline score.