OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of exercise and virtual reality (VR) on the cognitive rehabilitation of persons with traumatic brain injury (TBI). DESIGN: Before-after trial assessed cognitive function after a 4-week intervention program. A random allocation crossover assessed changes in reaction and movement times after a single bout of VR exercise and a no-exercise control condition. SETTING: Brain injury rehabilitation unit in Edinburgh, Scotland. PATIENTS: (1) Four-week intervention: a consecutive sample of 13 suitable TBI adults were compared to control populations (n > 25) of previous TBI patients of similar age, severity, and time postinjury. (2) Single-bout intervention: a consecutive sample of 13 suitable adults with moderate TBI, 6.29 to 202.86 weeks postinjury. INTERVENTION: Nonimmersive VR exercise. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: (1) Tests of attention, information processing, learning, and memory. (2) Reaction and movement times. RESULTS: After the 4-week intervention patients performed significantly better than controls on the digit symbol (p < .01). verbal (p < .01), and visual learning tasks (p < .05). Significant improvements in reaction times (p < .01) and movement times (p < .05) were gained following a single bout of VR exercise. CONCLUSION: Exercising in a virtual environment offers the potential for significant gains in cognitive function.
RCT Entities:
OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of exercise and virtual reality (VR) on the cognitive rehabilitation of persons with traumatic brain injury (TBI). DESIGN: Before-after trial assessed cognitive function after a 4-week intervention program. A random allocation crossover assessed changes in reaction and movement times after a single bout of VR exercise and a no-exercise control condition. SETTING:Brain injury rehabilitation unit in Edinburgh, Scotland. PATIENTS: (1) Four-week intervention: a consecutive sample of 13 suitable TBI adults were compared to control populations (n > 25) of previous TBIpatients of similar age, severity, and time postinjury. (2) Single-bout intervention: a consecutive sample of 13 suitable adults with moderate TBI, 6.29 to 202.86 weeks postinjury. INTERVENTION: Nonimmersive VR exercise. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: (1) Tests of attention, information processing, learning, and memory. (2) Reaction and movement times. RESULTS: After the 4-week intervention patients performed significantly better than controls on the digit symbol (p < .01). verbal (p < .01), and visual learning tasks (p < .05). Significant improvements in reaction times (p < .01) and movement times (p < .05) were gained following a single bout of VR exercise. CONCLUSION: Exercising in a virtual environment offers the potential for significant gains in cognitive function.
Authors: Kenneth N K Fong; Kathy Y Y Chow; Bianca C H Chan; Kino C K Lam; Jeff C K Lee; Teresa H Y Li; Elaine W H Yan; Asta T Y Wong Journal: J Neuroeng Rehabil Date: 2010-04-30 Impact factor: 4.262