Objective: To investigate the efficacy of Immersive Virtual Reality (IVR) and Computerized Cognitive Training (CCT) for mild cognitive impairment in Parkinson’s disease (PD-MCI)

Background: PD-MCI is a common non-motor feature of Parkinson’s disease with no established symptomatic treatments. Non-pharmacological interventions, such as cognitive training, are promising options for maintaining neural plasticity, enhancing cognition, and improving emotional well-being. However, high-quality studies are needed to confirm their efficacy

Method: We conducted a 24-week, single-center, randomized, single-blind clinical trial in people with PD-MCI. Participants were randomized into an executive function-focused IVR intervention (n = 19) or a multidomain CCT intervention (n = 17). A standard of care (SoC; n = 15) control group with no active intervention was also involved. Weekly 45-min sessions were conducted. Baseline and post-intervention assessments included measures of global cognition, functional, motor, neuropsychiatric symptoms, and digital metrics derived from the interventions, along with structural and functional neuroimaging

Results: IVR and CCT groups showed significant improvements in primary and secondary cognitive endpoints. Linear mixed-effects models showed that, compared to the SoC group, the IVR group experienced an improvement in the trajectory of the Parkinson’s Disease-Cognitive Rating Scale (PD-CRS) score (β = 8.13, SE = 2.88, p = 0.007), a decrease in cognitive-functional dependency measures (β = -3.16, SE = 1.39, p = 0.028) and apathy scores (β = -5.96, SE = 2.77, p = 0.038) at week 24. The CCT group demonstrated an improvement in the PD-CRS scores (β = 5.76, SE = 2.84, p = 0.049) and cognitive-functional dependency measures (β = -3.78, SE = 1.39, p = 0.009) at week 24 [Figure 1]

Conclusion: Both interventions significantly improved cognitive functions and everyday cognitive functionality in individuals with PD-MCI. Technology-based cognitive training offers a promising, adaptive, and personalized approach to managing cognitive decline in Parkinson’s disease

Figure 1

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MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/a-randomized-clinical-trial-of-immersive-virtual-reality-and-cognitive-rehabilitation-for-mild-cognitive-impairment-in-parkinsons-disease/