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(1) Background: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder marked by cognitive decline and functional impairment. The NeuronUP platform is a computer program whose main function is cognitive stimulation through three types of activities that change so that the user does not manage to learn it. This program provides opportunities to work on various domains, including activities of daily living (ADLs), social skills, and cognitive functions. The main objective of this randomized clinical trial was to assess the impact of integrating the NeuronUP platform with conventional occupational therapy to enhance or maintain cognitive, perceptual, and quality of life (QoL) abilities in people with AD compared to a control group. (2) Methods: A randomized, single-blind clinical trial was conducted. The sample was randomized using a software program, OxMar, which allowed the separation of the sample into a control group (CG) that received their conventional occupational therapy sessions and an experimental group (EG) that received therapy with NeuronUP, in addition to their conventional occupational therapy sessions. An eighteen-week intervention was conducted. (3) Results: The study included 20 participants, and significant differences were observed in most variables analyzed, indicating improvements after the intervention, particularly in measures of QoL and cognitive status. (4) Conclusions: Our findings demonstrate that an eighteen-week experimental protocol, incorporating the NeuronUP platform alongside conventional occupational therapy, led to improvements in cognitive status and QoL in older adults with AD. Thus, integrating the NeuronUP platform as a complementary tool to occupational therapy can be a valuable resource for enhancing the QoL of individuals with AD. However, due to the small sample size, further studies are needed to corroborate these findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Aim: To explore the experience of parents of children diagnosed with Phelan–McDermid syndrome (PMS) with regard to the diagnostic process, treatment, and medical care. Method: A qualitative descriptive study was conducted. Participants were recruited using non‐probabilistic purposeful sampling. In total, 32 parents with children with PMS were included. In‐depth interviews and researcher field notes were used. An inductive thematic analysis was performed. Results: Five themes were identified: (1) the 'diagnostic process' describes the diagnostic process and how it is communicated to the parents; (2) 'treatment and expectations' describes the expectations and hopes placed on future treatment; (3) 'family planning' describes how parents deal with genetic counselling when planning to have more children after a diagnosis of PMS; (4) 'the world of disability' describes the entry of parents into an environment of dependency and disability after the diagnosis; (5) 'family's financial situation' highlights the financial difficulties due to the high cost of therapies and daily care products. Interpretation: Our results provide insight on how a diagnosis of PMS and its consequences are experienced by parents of children with PMS. These results can be used by health professionals to help and support parents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To carry out a systematic review about the information about the application of of virtual reality and videogames in cardiac rehabilitation. A systematic review was conducted. Jadad scale was applied to evaluate the methodological quality of the articles included and the degree of evidence and the level of recommendation were determined through the Oxford Center for Evidence-Based Medicine. PRISMA guidelines statement for systematic reviews were followed. The total number of articles included in the present review was 10, with heterogeneity in the study populations, cardiac rehabilitation phases, technology used and protocols. Most of the studies showed an increase in heart rate, less pain, a greater ability to walk, higher energy levels, an increase in physical activity and improvements of motivation and adherence. The methodological quality of the studies was between acceptable and poor. The use of virtual reality and videogames could be considered as complementary tools of physical training in patients with cardiovascular diseases in the different phases of cardiac rehabilitation. However, it is also necessary to carry out studies with adequate methodological quality to determine the ideal technological systems, target populations and clearly protocols to study their effects in the short, medium and long-term assessments. The use of virtual reality and videogames could be considered as complementary tools for physical training in patients with cardiovascular diseases. Interactive virtual reality using exergames may promote heart rate, fatigue perception, physical activity and reduce pain in patients with cardiovascular diseases. Virtual reality and videogames enhance motivation and adherence in cardiac rehabilitation programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]