Hao J, Crum G, Siu KC. Effects of virtual reality on stroke rehabilitation: An umbrella review of systematic reviews.
Health Sci Rep 2024;
7:e70082. [PMID:
39328980 PMCID:
PMC11424326 DOI:
10.1002/hsr2.70082]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2024] [Revised: 08/03/2024] [Accepted: 09/03/2024] [Indexed: 09/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Background and Aims
Virtual reality is an emerging technology in rehabilitation. This umbrella review aimed to identify, critically appraise, and summarize current systematic reviews on the effects of virtual reality on stroke rehabilitation.
Methods
Five biomedical databases, PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and Scopus were searched from inception to December 30th, 2023, for systematic reviews with or without meta-analyses published in English. Two reviewers independently conducted abstract screening, full-text selection, and quality assessments. The methodological quality of included studies was evaluated by the Assessing the Methodological Quality of Systematic Reviews 2. Results were qualitatively synthesized according to domains of function to ascertain the effects of virtual reality intervention on functional improvement within stroke rehabilitation.
Results
A total of 78 articles were included; 23 were systematic reviews, and 55 were systematic reviews with meta-analyses. Among them, 30 studies were evaluated as critically low quality, 32 as low, 15 as moderate, and one as good. Outcomes regarding upper extremity motor function, upper extremity activity, participation, functional independence, balance, functional mobility, walking speed, and cognitive function were summarized. While positive effects in favor of virtual reality were revealed by a majority of systematic reviews on these outcomes, evidence supporting the significantly different effects of virtual reality compared to conventional rehabilitation on participation and cognitive function was lacking.
Conclusion
The umbrella review demonstrated promising clinical outcomes regarding the use of virtual reality as an advanced therapeutic approach in stroke rehabilitation to optimize patient care. Future systematic reviews and meta-analyses in this field should adhere to established guidelines to enhance the quality of evidence.
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