Neuropsychological and behavioral benefits of virtual cognitive rehabilitation training among pediatric population surviving malaria: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Severe and nonsevere forms of repeated malaria can cause numerous cognitive impairments, usually in the aspects of problem-solving, executive function, memory, and attention. Several studies have suggested that rehabilitation treatment interventions can be effective in treating cognitive symptoms of cerebral malaria (CM). Virtual reality (VR) technology potentiates as a useful tool for the assessment and rehabilitation of cognitive processes. The aim of the present systematic review is to examine neuropsychological and behavioral benefits of virtual cognitive rehabilitation training among children with Malaria. Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro), Excerpta Medica Database, Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online, PubMed, Web of Science, Google Scholar, ClinicalTrials.gov., and Global Health databases were searched for studies that investigated the effect of VR on cognitive functions post-CM. The methodological quality was evaluated using PEDro scale. Six studies were included for qualitative analyses, with five being randomized controlled trials and one was parallel-group randomized trial. The scores on the PEDro scale ranged from 5 to 7 with a mean score of 6. The results showed improvement in various aspects of cognitive functions such as: memory, executive function, and attention in CM survivors. Using computerized cognitive rehabilitation training with the treatment protocol of 16-24 sessions, each of 45-60 min in duration, with 2-3 sessions per week, may improve neuropsychological performance and behavior in terms of executive functions, working memory, and attention in severe malaria survivors.