Technology-Assisted Cognitive Rehabilitation in Parkinson’s Disease: A Systematic Review of Cognitive, Psychological, and Implementation Outcomes
- 1Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, University of Salerno, Via S. Allende, 84081 Baronissi, Italy
- 2Faculty of Psychology, University eCampus, 22060 Novedrate, Italy
- 3Centro Neurolesi Bonino Pulejo, 98124 Messina, Italy
Abstract
Background: Cognitive impairment is one of the most disabling non-motor manifestations of Parkinson’s disease (PD), substantially affecting functional independence, quality of life, and caregiver burden. Technology-assisted cognitive rehabilitation, including computerized cognitive training, virtual reality-based interventions, digital rehabilitation platforms, and remotely delivered programmes, has emerged as a potential approach to support cognitive functioning in PD. However, evidence regarding its cognitive, psychological, and implementation outcomes remains fragmented. Methods: A systematic review was conducted following PRISMA 2020, with PROSPERO identifier CRD420261433368. PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science and PsycINFO were searched, with the reported final search on 30 June 2026. Structured interventions using technology as an active cognitive therapeutic component were considered. Cognitive, psychological, patient-reported, caregiver and implementation findings were synthesized narratively, distinguishing comparative effects from uncontrolled changes. Two additional reports identified during targeted revision-stage checking were assessed and included. Results: Thirteen studies were included in the current synthesis, spanning randomized, pilot, non-randomized and uncontrolled designs. Controlled cognitive findings were inconsistent. Small studies provided signals in selected executive outcomes and in time-based and verbal-response prospective memory, while the largest randomized trial found no benefit on its primary planning-accuracy endpoint. Psychological, functional and quality-of-life effects were limited or inconsistent. Implementation findings were generally favorable in selected research cohorts, with technical barriers and transient VR symptoms reported. Conclusions: Current evidence does not establish generalized, sustained comparative cognitive efficacy or consistent patient-important benefit of technology-assisted cognitive rehabilitation in PD. Selected cognitive signals warrant independent replication. Delivery feasibility, adherence and usability are distinct from clinical effectiveness and safety. Future trials should distinguish cognitive phenotypes, prespecify clinically relevant outcomes and assess everyday function alongside cognitive performance.
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BibTeX
@article{pessolano2026technologyassisted,
title = {{Technology-Assisted Cognitive Rehabilitation in Parkinson’s Disease: A Systematic Review of Cognitive, Psychological, and Implementation Outcomes}},
author = {Colomba Pessolano and Marina Garofano and Placido Bramanti and Mariaconsiglia Calabrese and Irene Cappadona and Elisa Anna Contursi and Francesco Corallo and Federico Di Filippo and Maria Pia Di Palo and Andrea Marino and Alessia Nunziante and Maria Pagano and Marianna Amboni and Alessia Bramanti},
journal = {Journal of Clinical Medicine},
year = {2026},
month = nov,
doi = {10.3390/jcm15228855},
url = {https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0383/15/22/8855},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Technology-Assisted Cognitive Rehabilitation in Parkinson’s Disease: A Systematic Review of Cognitive, Psychological, and Implementation Outcomes
AU - Colomba Pessolano
AU - Marina Garofano
AU - Placido Bramanti
AU - Mariaconsiglia Calabrese
AU - Irene Cappadona
AU - Elisa Anna Contursi
AU - Francesco Corallo
AU - Federico Di Filippo
AU - Maria Pia Di Palo
AU - Andrea Marino
AU - Alessia Nunziante
AU - Maria Pagano
AU - Marianna Amboni
AU - Alessia Bramanti
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/11/12
JO - Journal of Clinical Medicine
DO - 10.3390/jcm15228855
UR - https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0383/15/22/8855
AB - Background: Cognitive impairment is one of the most disabling non-motor manifestations of Parkinson’s disease (PD), substantially affecting functional independence, quality of life, and caregiver burden. Technology-assisted cognitive rehabilitation, including computerized cognitive training, virtual reality-based interventions, digital rehabilitation platforms, and remotely delivered programmes, has emerged as a potential approach to support cognitive functioning in PD. However, evidence regarding its cognitive, psychological, and implementation outcomes remains fragmented. Methods: A systematic review was conducted following PRISMA 2020, with PROSPERO identifier CRD420261433368. PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science and PsycINFO were searched, with the reported final search on 30 June 2026. Structured interventions using technology as an active cognitive therapeutic component were considered. Cognitive, psychological, patient-reported, caregiver and implementation findings were synthesized narratively, distinguishing comparative effects from uncontrolled changes. Two additional reports identified during targeted revision-stage checking were assessed and included. Results: Thirteen studies were included in the current synthesis, spanning randomized, pilot, non-randomized and uncontrolled designs. Controlled cognitive findings were inconsistent. Small studies provided signals in selected executive outcomes and in time-based and verbal-response prospective memory, while the largest randomized trial found no benefit on its primary planning-accuracy endpoint. Psychological, functional and quality-of-life effects were limited or inconsistent. Implementation findings were generally favorable in selected research cohorts, with technical barriers and transient VR symptoms reported. Conclusions: Current evidence does not establish generalized, sustained comparative cognitive efficacy or consistent patient-important benefit of technology-assisted cognitive rehabilitation in PD. Selected cognitive signals warrant independent replication. Delivery feasibility, adherence and usability are distinct from clinical effectiveness and safety. Future trials should distinguish cognitive phenotypes, prespecify clinically relevant outcomes and assess everyday function alongside cognitive performance.
SN - 2077-0383
ER -