Effect of Virtual Reality Glasses on Mild Cognitive Impairment in Older Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial

PURPOSE: The current randomized controlled trial evaluated the effect of a virtual reality (VR) glasses intervention on mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in older adults. METHOD: This study was conducted with 24 participants (12 in the intervention group and 12 in the control group) admitted to a neurology outpatient clinic. Participants completed a descriptive information form, the Mini-Mental State Examination, and Montreal Cognitive Assessment. The intervention group watched VR videos 3 days per week for 4 weeks, whereas the control group received no intervention. RESULTS: Participants in the VR intervention group showed improvement in MCI, whereas no significant change was observed in the control group. CONCLUSION: VR interventions may serve as effective tools to enhance cognitive functions in older adults with MCI. Expanding the intervention content and tailoring applications to address specific symptoms may yield more comprehensive results.