The DOI matches its Crossref record; 49 of the 49 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.
Controlling Memory Impairment in Elderly Adults Using Virtual Reality Memory Training: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Study
Open accessAbstract
Background. Memory decline is a prevalent aspect of aging but may also be the first sign of cognitive pathology. Virtual reality (VR) using immersion and interaction may provide new approaches to the treatment of memory deficits in elderly individuals. Objective. The authors implemented a VR training intervention to try to lessen cognitive decline and improve memory functions. Methods. The authors randomly assigned 36 elderly residents of a rest care facility (median age 80 years) who were impaired on the Verbal Story Recall Test either to the experimental group (EG) or the control group (CG). The EG underwent 6 months of VR memory training (VRMT) that involved auditory stimulation and VR experiences in path finding. The initial training phase lasted 3 months (3 auditory and 3 VR sessions every 2 weeks), and there was a booster training phase during the following 3 months (1 auditory and 1 VR session per week). The CG underwent equivalent face-to-face training sessions using music therapy. Both groups participated in social and creative and assisted-mobility activities. Neuropsychological and functional evaluations were performed at baseline, after the initial training phase, and after the booster training phase. Results.The EG showed significant improvements in memory tests, especially in long-term recall with an effect size of 0.7 and in several other aspects of cognition. In contrast, the CG showed progressive decline. Conclusions . The authors suggest that VRMT may improve memory function in elderly adults by enhancing focused attention.
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“The most specific domains for VR diagnostic and training purposes in AD patients include attention (322), executive functions (323–326), memory (327–333), orientation (322, 327, 334–336), and ADL (337, 338).”
From The Multidisciplinary Approach to Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia. A Narrative Review of Non-Pharmacological Treatment (2018) · cites this paper as [328]
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Koumaditis, K., Radhakrishnan, U., Lui, L. F., Pedersen, G., & Chinello, F. (2026) · Computers & Education: X Reality · doi:10.1016/j.cexr.2025.100129
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Digital Interventions for Older Adults
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Peripersonal and Extrapersonal Space: Line Bisection Experiments in Real and Virtual Environments
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Metadata
- Authors
- Optale, G., Urgesi, C., Busato, V., Marin, S., Piron, L., Priftis, K., Gamberini, L., Capodieci, S., & Bordin, A.
- Affiliations
- Association of Medical Psychotherapists, Venice, Italy, , Psychosexology, ASL12, Mestre, Venice, Italy
- University of Udine (IT)
- Consorzio Sociale CPS gestore centro servizi “Anni Sereni” Rest-Home, Scorzè, Venice, Italy
- Association of Medical Psychotherapists, Venice, Italy, Psychosexology, ASL12, Mestre, Venice, Italy
- University of Padua (IT)
- Association of Medical Psychotherapists, Venice, Italy
- Corresponding author
- Optale, Gabriele
- Venue
- Neurorehabilitation and Neural Repair
- Publisher
- SAGE Publications
- Published
- 2009-11-24
- Volume
- 24
- Issue
- 4
- Pages
- 348-357
- ISSN
- 0888-4390 (ISSN-L)
- 1545-9683
- 1552-6844
- OpenAlex
- W2131366419
- Cited by
- 318
- References
- 48
- Citations by year
- 2026: 13 · 2025: 21 · 2024: 31 · 2023: 29 · 2022: 37 · 2021: 35 · 2020: 39 · 2019: 27 · 2018: 15 · 2017: 20 · 2016: 12 · 2015: 4 · 2014: 15 · 2013: 8 · 2012: 4
- FWCI
- 5.07
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- green
- hdl.handle.net
- Locations
- Neurorehabilitation and neural repair (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Padua Research Archive (University of Padova) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
- Institutional Research Information System (University of Udine) (submittedVersion)
- Funders
- Ministero della Salute
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Cognitive Functions and Memory
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Dementia and Cognitive Impairment Research
- Physical Sciences › Computer Science › Human-Computer Interaction › Virtual Reality Applications and Impacts
- Keywords
- memory impairment, older adults, cognitive decline, music therapy, auditory stimulation, path finding, focused attention, nursing home residents, cognitive rehabilitation
- MeSH terms
- Acoustic Stimulation, Aged, 80 and over, Analysis of Variance, Attention, Female, Humans, Male, Memory Disorders, Music Therapy, Neuropsychological Tests, Pilot Projects, Mental Recall, Time Factors, User-Computer Interface, Single-Blind Method, Treatment Outcome
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