Virtual Reality and Computerized Cognitive Intervention for Mild Cognitive Impairment in Heart Failure

This research project is relevant to public health because both heart failure (HF) and mild cognitive impairment (e.g., trouble remembering and concentrating beyond normal aging) are highly prevalent among older adults in the United States. Despite advances in health care, there are no effective interventions for treating cognitive impairment in HF, which if left untreated, leads to suboptimal health, quality of life, and shorter survival. Therefore, the investigators propose to test the effect of a dual-component intervention comprised of a virtual reality-based cognitive restoration intervention and computerized cognitive training on cognitive function and overall health among 172 older adults with HF who experience mild cognitive impairment.

We will use a two-step process to screen and enroll the patients. First, we will screen potentially eligible patients from the Indiana University Health systems using these eligibility criteria.Inclusion Criteria:≥ 65 years;chronic HF Stage C validated from echocardiography or comparable measure;ability to communicate in English;a someone (e.g., family member, significant other, close friend) who agrees to serve as an informant and provide information of the patient's IADL; andcapacity to consent according to the Indiana University Institutional Review Board policies, or lacks capacity to consent but has the ability to provide assent from someone who can serve as LAR.Exclusion Criteria:pre-HF (Stages A and B) or advanced HF (Stage D);vision or hearing problems that can interfere with cognitive testing;major neurological disorder (e.g., previously diagnosed dementia, Parkinson's disease, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis);major psychiatric disease (e.g., schizophrenia, bipolar disorder);life-threatening unstable illness other than HF (e.g., end-stage cancer); andusers of regular computerized cognitive training or participants in cognitive training trials in the past year.Second, we will enroll patients only if they have MCI by: 1) having MoCA score 23 and lower; and 2) not meeting criteria for dementia.