Accepted for/Published in: JMIR Research Protocols
Date Submitted: Sep 30, 2025
Date Accepted: Nov 30, 2025
Virtual Sail 3D – Enhancing Cognitive Functions in Elderly People with Mild Cognitive Impairment: Protocol for a feasibility Randomised-Controlled Trial
ABSTRACT
Background:
Innovative approaches, such as virtual reality-based cognitive rehabilitation, are becoming essential to healthy aging.
Objective:
The present study aims to evaluate the feasibility and generate preliminary evidence regarding the effectiveness of an immersive virtual reality (VR)-based cognitive remediation (CR) intervention for elderly individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI).
Methods:
40 individuals over 65 years old, of both genders with MCI, will be recruited and randomly assigned to the experimental or control group. The experimental group will complete a 6-week VR-based cognitive remediation program, while the control group receives healthy lifestyle education. Feasibility will be assessed through measures including dropout rates, side effects, and satisfaction with the program. Preliminary effectiveness will be evaluated using assessments of cognitive functions, quality of life (QoL), functional mobility, depression and anxiety symptoms, regulation of social and biological rhythms, body awareness, and physical activity levels.
Results:
Recruitment began in May 2024 and is expected to conclude by October 2025; to date, 153 subjects had been recruited and screened, with 39 enrolled. Preliminary analyses are planned for December 2025 and follow-up analyses for December 2026.
Conclusions:
This trial will provide insights into the feasibility and preliminary effectiveness of a VR-based intervention for older adults with mild cognitive impairment, with implications for its integration into preventive and rehabilitative care. Clinical Trial: ClinicalTrial.gov, NCT06579378; https://clinicaltrials.gov/search?term=NCT06579378
Citation
Request queued. Please wait while the file is being generated. It may take some time.
Copyright
© The authors. All rights reserved. This is a privileged document currently under peer-review/community review (or an accepted/rejected manuscript). Authors have provided JMIR Publications with an exclusive license to publish this preprint on it's website for review and ahead-of-print citation purposes only. While the final peer-reviewed paper may be licensed under a cc-by license on publication, at this stage authors and publisher expressively prohibit redistribution of this draft paper other than for review purposes.