The effect of virtual reality based rehabilitation on cognitive functions in stroke patients: A review

Stroke stands as one of the primary global causes of disability and mortality. Post-stroke cognitive impairment (PSCI) emerges as a prevalent aftermath affecting over a third of the patients, with its incidence steadily rising annually. Notable clinical findings, that significantly affect participation in daily routines and life contentment, can be listed as; memory decline, concentration challenges, dependency in decision-making, and struggle in problem-solving. There is also a correlation among PSCI, dementia, and, disability rates. Therefore, cognitive rehabilitation strategies to improve cognitive functions are important components of stroke rehabilitation interventions. Traditional cognitive education, physical therapy, physical activity, psychotherapy, and complementary medicine practices are frequently used in the literature to rehabilitate PSCI. In addition to these advancements, the evolution of information technology has introduced alternative treatment approaches that can be utilized in Cognitive Rehabilitation (CR) applications such as Virtual Reality (VR). This review aims to assess the contribution of VR applications within CR specifically tailored for stroke patients.