Telerehabilitation in Mild Cognitive Impairment

The Italian Network of Telerehabilitation: Evaluation of Telerehabilitation System in Mild Cognitive Impairment

The main aim of the study is to evaluate the efficacy of the Virtual Reality Rehabilitation System (VRRS) compared to usual care treatment for patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI). Moreover, we will assess the possibility to prolong the beneficial effects of the treatment with an innovative telerehabilitation system. In the second phase of the present study we aim to evaluate the short and long term effects induced by the treatment of active (anodal) transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) applied to the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex combined with VRRS compared to placebo tDCS stimulation combined with VRRS.

The effects of the intervention on outcome variables will be assessed using a randomized controlled trial design with five groups. The investigators will assess the effects of VRRS system and of the implementation of the at-home treatment on the quality of life, cognitive and functional abilities.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Diagnosis of MCI, defined according to standard criteria (Petersen et al., 2011)
• Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) ≥24
• Education ≥ 5 years
• All of the subjects will have normal or corrected-to-normal vision and will be native Italian speakers.
• All participants reported subjective memory complaints and objective memory impairment, but no impairment of function in daily life.

Exclusion Criteria:

• visual perception disorder and/or hearing loss
• history of major psychiatric disorders
• any contraindication for tDCS such as a history of seizures, major head trauma, past brain surgery, a brain metal implant or a pacemaker.