The Development And Verification Of Effectiveness Of A VR-based Working Memory Training System For Patients In Remission Stage Of Depressive Episode

Objective:We suppose to develop a VR-based working memory training system and verification the effectiveness of the system for remitted patients with depression or bipolar disorder by using the MATRICS Consensus Cognitive Battery?MCCB?as a cognitive Inspection tool.Methods:Base on the theory of working memory and its training system,a VR-based working memory training system was developed.After that,39 patients in remission stage of depressive episode and 23 healthy controls were recruited in the study according to diagnostic criteria of DSM-5 and clinical interview.The patients were divided into training group and control group.Patients in training group participated in the VR-based working memory training for 4 weeks,5days a week and half hours a day.MCCB was used to detect cognitive function in seven areas:Information Processing Speed,Attention/Alertness,Working Memory,Word Learning,Visual Learning,Reasoning and Problem Solving,and Social Cognition.The impaired effect was calculated.CPFQ was used to detect the impaired degree of cognitive function.WPAI was used to detect the impaired degree of daily life function.The interaction between grouped variables and intervention variables was analyzed by repeated measurement variance analysis.Results:?1?The VR-based working memory training system contained 5 WM training and an administer system online;?2?Results of MCCB:In remission stage,patients had mild impairment of visual learning and reasoning and problem solving?ES=0.448;ES=0.398?;moderate impairment of working memory,word learning and social cognition?ES=0.796;ES=0.678;ES=0.625?;ES=0.685;ES=0.754;ES=0.517),and severe impairment of information processing speed,attention/alertness and total cognition?ES=0.989;=1.123;ES=1.261?.?3?After the remitted patients with depression or bipolar disorder accepted the VR-based working memory training,the score of working memory,visual learning shew a significant increase(F₁,₃₈=5.919,?p=0.020;F₁,₃₈=5.596,p=0.023).And the score of WPAI and CPFQ shew a significant interaction effects on time and groups(F_1,38=4.860;p=0.034;F_1,38=4.700;p=0.037).Conclusion:?1?We have developed a VR-based working memory training system.It contains 5 training tasks?covered the whole working memory model?and a whole user's system.?2?Patients suffer from depression still have residual cognitive symptoms even during remission,and there are still moderate injuries in“cold”cognition such as information processing speed,attention/alertness;“cognitive recovery”may become a new target for the treatment of depression;?3?The VR-based working memory training system developed in this study can effectively reduce the degree of cognitive impairment in patients in remission stage of depressive episode.The research at this level deserves further study or may become the third tool for depression treatment.