Impact of Virtual Reality Cognitive and Motor Exercises on Brain Health

Abstract

Innovative technologies of the 21st century have an extremely significant impact on all activities of modern humans. Among them, virtual reality (VR) offers great opportunities for scientific research and public health. The results of research to date both demonstrate the beneficial effects of using virtual worlds, and indicate undesirable effects on bodily functions. This review presents interesting recent findings related to training/exercise in virtual environments and its impact on cognitive and motor functions. It also highlights the importance of VR as an effective tool for assessing and diagnosing these functions both in research and modern medical practice. The findings point to the enormous future potential of these rapidly developing innovative technologies. Of particular importance are applications of virtual reality in basic and clinical neuroscience.

A machine learning approach to evaluate the impact of virtual balance/cognitive training on fall risk in older women

“…Our research combines conventional training with a virtual environment, thus leveraging the advantages of each for the greater benefit of program participants (e.g., increasing the appeal, engagement, and direct impact of the participant on the training through an interactive game format). Since we use novel VEs in our research, it is worth noting that sometimes users in virtual worlds may experience adverse symptoms due to cybersickness ( Lima Rebêlo et al, 2021 ; Sokołowska, 2023 , 2024 ; Kourtesis et al, 2024 ). Cybersickness is accompanied by a mix of unfavorable symptoms such as headache, nausea, dizziness, fatigue, oculomotor, and postural disturbances ( Kourtesis et al, 2023 ; Venkatakrishnan et al, 2023 ).…”

Examination of Cybersickness in Virtual Reality: The Role of Individual Differences, Effects on Cognitive Functions & Motor Skills, and Intensity Differences During and After Immersion.pdf

“…On the other hand, the Cybersickness in Virtual Reality Questionnaire (CSQ-VR) emerges as a more reliable and comprehensive tool [49], [53], [57], [58]. Given that intense cybersickness can significantly hamper a user's cognitive and motor functions, especially in reaction times [34], [49], [53], [59], [60], it's imperative for a tool to detect these declines effectively.…”

Benefits of Telerehabilitation for Patients With Severe Acquired Brain Injury: Promising Results From a Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial Using Nonimmersive Virtual Reality

“…Generally, conventional techniques consist of manual/paper-and-pencil exercises with the physical presence of a therapist in a traditional setting, whereas VR exercises use a computer interface to train motor and cognitive functions in a gamelike setting [17,18]. However, the families of patients with SABI can face some concerns, such as limited access to appropriate health care services and outpatient clinics because of traveling costs and geographical barriers.…”

“…Generally, conventional techniques consist of manual/paper-and-pencil exercises with the physical presence of a therapist in a traditional setting, whereas VR exercises use a computer interface to train motor and cognitive functions in a gamelike setting [ 17 , 18 ].…”