Effectiveness of Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt Implantation on Cognitive Abilities and Cerebral Health Behavior in Patients with Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus

Aim & Background: Hydrocephalus (HCP) is a condition found mostly in old adults due to excess cerebrospinalfluid (CSF) in the brain and having the symptoms of intracranial hypertension, adversely affecting the patients’cognitive abilities. People suffering from HCP have always received conventional therapy for CSF diversionand draining out excessive CSF using ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VP). Methodology: This study focuses ondetermining the impact of VP shunt on cognitive abilities and cerebral health behavior in patients diagnosedparticularly with Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus (NPH). A randomized controlled trial was conducted and asample of 60 participants diagnosed with NPH was chosen and planned to be treated with VP shunt. Theseparticipants were categorized into two groups. Group A (n= 30) included participants who were provided careby the hospital, ensuring to maintain their cognitive health behavior. However, no care was provided to groupB (n= 30) participants. Turkish version of Grading Scale of Japanese Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus was usedfor assessment purposes. Results: The results showed that Group A participants had significant outcomesin cognitive functions (physical and mental), quality of life and gait, while Group B participants did not showany significant improvement. The findings offer useful insights to devise innovative surgical interventions andinfluence patient outcomes beyond clinical metrics, post-VP shunt implementation and consequent impacton cognitive abilities and cerebral health behavior in patients. Conclusion: There are recommendationsto improve patient’s quality of life, and physical and mental functional independence and cognitivebehavioral adaptations for the healthcare providers, particularly in developing post-operative care plans.