Three-dimensional multiple object tracking and its effects on functional, cognitive, and biological outcomes in TBI survivors: A patient-oriented study
Date
2025
Authors
Morrison, Jamie
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a leading cause of disability worldwide; however, accessible interventions to support recovery at chronic time points are limited. Cognitive training is a promising therapeutic avenue due to its low cost and accessibility. Three-dimensional multiple object tracking (3D-MOT) is a visuospatial cognitive training task that engages working memory, distributed attention, and complex motion integration – functions that are commonly impacted after TBI. This study explored the effects of a five-week, at-home 3D-MOT intervention for moderate to severe TBI survivors. This research was conducted in a patient-oriented manner with the Victoria Brain Injury Society. Thirty participants were randomized into the intervention or control group. Estimation statistics were used to report mean differences, confidence intervals, and effect sizes, aligning with a patient-oriented approach to emphasize clinical relevance. Self-reported functional outcomes, neuropsychological assessments, and telomere length as a biomarker of aging were assessed at baseline, post-intervention, and one-month follow-up in the 20 participants who completed the study. The intervention group exhibited medium to large effect size improvements in daily life challenges, TBI symptom severity, perceived stress, attention as measured on the Digit Span Forward, and executive function as measured on the Verbal Fluency FAS Test, that persisted at follow-up. Improvements in short- and long-term verbal memory and retrieval, as measured by the California Verbal Learning Test – Second Edition, were observed at one-month follow-up, but not immediately post-intervention. No change in telomere length following 3D-MOT intervention was observed. Control participants did not show meaningful improvements on any of these outcomes. Participant feedback highlighted the acceptability and perceived benefit of 3D-MOT, supporting its potential to be used as a therapeutic tool for TBI recovery.
Description
Keywords
Traumatic brain injury, Cognitive training, 3D-MOT, Patient-oriented research