A virtual reality brain training program was tested in a small study
Original title: Investigating the Usability, Feasibility, and Effect of a Virtual Reality Cognitive Training System on Brain Cancer Patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Quasi-Experimental (Single-Arm) Pilot Study
How far along is this research?
This is a preprint. Other scientists have not checked it yet, so treat it as an early signal rather than an answer.
This was a very small first test in people, not yet proven as a treatment.
The short version
Six people with brain cancer tried virtual reality brain training for four weeks.
What was studied. Researchers tested a virtual reality program that trains thinking skills. Six people with brain cancer and mild thinking problems finished four weeks of training. Their thinking was tested before and after.
What they found. People stayed with the program, and they rated it easy to use. They also said it did not feel like hard work. A word test improved by 41.38%. Memory scores improved by 18.75% on one form and 11.32% on another. A timed test improved by 25.97%, but the study could not be sure that change was real.
What this means, and what it doesn't
What it could mean: Virtual reality training may help some people with thinking problems after brain cancer. People in this study were able to use it and keep going for four weeks. That makes it worth studying in bigger groups.
What it doesn't mean: This does not mean virtual reality treats a brain tumor. It is not a cure. This was a very early, small first test with only 6 people. Everyone got the training, so there was no group to compare them to. The gains could have other causes. It is not standard care your doctor can offer today.
Source: medRxiv (preprint), August 24, 2026 · Read the original
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