Feasibility Study of Virtual Sail 3D in Cognitive Functions

NCT ID: NCT06579378

Last Updated: 2024-08-30

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

RECRUITING

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

40 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2024-05-01

Study Completion Date

2025-12-01

Brief Summary

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This research project will assess the feasibility and preliminary effectiveness of a 6-week intervention to improve cognitive functions using the 3D immersive virtual reality software "CEREBRUM" with virtual sailing scenarios among elderly with mild cognitive impairment. CEREBRUM, developed by PRoMIND in association with IDEGO, is the first European tool for enhancing cognitive functions via 3D immersive virtual reality in psychosocial disabilities. Previous studies have shown its effectiveness in improving cognitive functions and well-being in people with bipolar disorders. The software includes modules for memory, learning, cognitive estimations, attention, working memory, and executive functions. For this study, the software was developed with sailing virtual scenarios to make it more enjoyable and engaging, as well as to train other cognitive functions such as motor skills and language abilities among people with disabilities.

Detailed Description

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Research on active aging has been identified as a priority, particularly concerning the feasibility and effectiveness of non-pharmacological interventions aimed at preventing and/or delaying cognitive decline. Risk factors such as physical, cognitive, and social inactivity are estimated to account for about 40% of the risk of developing dementia in the lifetime. Recent reviews have shown that cognitive remediation interventions are effective in improving cognitive performance in older adults with and without cognitive decline.

Cognitive remediation is a behavior-based training intervention aimed at improving cognitive functions (memory, attention, executive functions, social cognition, and metacognition) to achieve lasting results and their generalization. There is substantial evidence supporting the effectiveness of such interventions in neuropsychological disorders such as dementia, mild cognitive impairment, and behavioral disorders.

In recent years, there has been an increase in the use of immersive 3D virtual reality software in clinical and rehabilitative settings as tools for rehabilitation and the improvement of various skills. To date, there are few studies where immersive 3D virtual reality is used to enhance cognitive functions related to personal and social functioning, especially to prevent cognitive decline in older adults (aged 65 and over).

This research project will assess the feasibility and preliminary effectiveness of a 6-week intervention to improve cognitive functions using the 3D immersive virtual reality software "CEREBRUM" with sailing scenarious among elderly with mild cognitive impairment.

Conditions

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Mild Cognitive Impairment

Keywords

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Virtual reality Feasibility Cognitive functions Sail Advances Technologies Laboratory

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

Randomized Controlled Trial
Primary Study Purpose

PREVENTION

Blinding Strategy

SINGLE

Outcome Assessors

Study Groups

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VSail 3D

The "VSail 3D" experimental protocol includes 12 sessions (2 times a week, for 6 consecutive weeks) with scenarios (virtual environments) dedicated to the sport of sailing.

The duration of each session is 50-60 minutes.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

VSail 3D

Intervention Type DEVICE

The "CEREBRUM" software with virtual sailing scenarios is made up of exercises of variable difficulty, designed to train different cognitive functions, in particular attention, memory, learning, cognitive estimates, working memory, executive functions, motor abilities and language. The different degrees of difficulty are designed to adapt to the user's functional diagnosis. The operator who conducts the intervention must adapt the difficulty level to the user's residual abilities, so that the exercises are neither too easy nor too complex. Each session, after an initial part of welcome, psychoeducation and orientation to the instrument, involves alternating virtual reality exercises, positive and corrective feedback, and suggestions of practical homework related to the cognitive function trained during the session that the individual should try during daily life.

WEB-Health

The intervention regards education on healthy lifestyles to promote active ageing (topics: physical activity in old age; effective communication, stress management, technologies and health). It will consist of 3 seminars, delivered in the form of webinars, on a bi-weekly basis over 6 consecutive weeks, lasting 50-60 minutes each.

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

WEB-Health

Intervention Type OTHER

The intervention includes a series of 3 webinars focused on active ageing promotion. In particular, each webinar will regard topics related to healthy lifestyle, such as physical activity in old age, effective communication, stress management, technologies and health. Each webinar will be conducted by a mental health professional, and it will be delivered in real-time in a group (plenary).

Interventions

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VSail 3D

The "CEREBRUM" software with virtual sailing scenarios is made up of exercises of variable difficulty, designed to train different cognitive functions, in particular attention, memory, learning, cognitive estimates, working memory, executive functions, motor abilities and language. The different degrees of difficulty are designed to adapt to the user's functional diagnosis. The operator who conducts the intervention must adapt the difficulty level to the user's residual abilities, so that the exercises are neither too easy nor too complex. Each session, after an initial part of welcome, psychoeducation and orientation to the instrument, involves alternating virtual reality exercises, positive and corrective feedback, and suggestions of practical homework related to the cognitive function trained during the session that the individual should try during daily life.

Intervention Type DEVICE

WEB-Health

The intervention includes a series of 3 webinars focused on active ageing promotion. In particular, each webinar will regard topics related to healthy lifestyle, such as physical activity in old age, effective communication, stress management, technologies and health. Each webinar will be conducted by a mental health professional, and it will be delivered in real-time in a group (plenary).

Intervention Type OTHER

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* Age: 65 years or older
* Sex: all
* Living independently,
* Without conditions that would prevent them from participating in the activities of the experimental intervention "VSail 3D,"
* Without severe issues with autonomous mobility
* With Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) according to Addenbrooke's Cognitive Examination for cognitive functions (ACE-R), which also includes the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), with the following ranges: ACE = 66.93-79.86 and/or MMSE = 21-25.
* Signing the informed consent

Exclusion Criteria

* severe cardiovascular conditions
* severe issues with autonomous mobility
* severe metabolic disorders not pharmacologically compensated
* severe neurological conditions that prevent from participating in the experimental protocol, such as a stroke within the past 2 years, Parkinson's disease, epilepsy, or dementia (Alzheimer's, vascular, etc.)
* severe ongoing bronchopulmonary disorders
* severe ongoing renal disorders
* glaucoma, retinal detachment, or other serious vision conditions that do not allow the safe use of 3D virtual reality technology
* active malignant neoplasm that do not allow the hinders participation in the intervention.
Minimum Eligible Age

65 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sponsors

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Fondazione di Sardegna

UNKNOWN

Sponsor Role collaborator

University of Cagliari

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Federica Sancassiani

Principal Investigator

Responsibility Role PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Locations

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University Hospital of Cagliari

Cagliari, CA, Italy

Site Status RECRUITING

Countries

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Italy

Central Contacts

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Federica Sancassiani, Prof

Role: CONTACT

Phone: 00393493119215

Email: [email protected]

Facility Contacts

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Federica Sancassiani, Prof

Role: primary

Other Identifiers

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NP/2023/2557

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id