Efectividad de un programa de juego basado en realidad virtual para la mejora cognitiva en la esquizofrenia

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of a programme based on a virtual reality game to improve cognitive domains in patients with schizophrenia. Method: A randomized controlled trial was conducted in 40 patients with schizophrenia, 20 in the experimental group and 20 in the control group. The experimental group received 10 sessions with Nintendo Wii® for 5 weeks, 50 minutes/session, 2 days/week in addition to conventional treatment. The control group received conventional treatment only. Results: Statistically significant differences in the T-Score were found in 5 of the 6 cognitive domains assessed: processing speed (F = 12.04, p = 0.001), attention/vigilance (F = 12.75, p = 0.001), working memory (F = 18.86, p <0.01), verbal learning (F = 7.6, p = 0.009), visual learning (F = 3.6, p = 0.064), and reasoning and problem solving (F = 11.08, p = 0.002). Conclusions: Participation in virtual reality interventions aimed at cognitive training have great potential for significant gains in different cognitive domains assessed in patients with schizophrenia.