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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 18, 2026

Mobile Game-based Virtual Reality Program for Upper Extremity Stroke Rehabilitation

Mobile Game-based Virtual Reality Program for Upper Extremity Stroke Rehabilitation

Published on: March 8, 2018

Virtual reality for stroke rehabilitation.

Kate E Laver¹, Belinda Lange, Stacey George

¹Department of Rehabilitation, Aged and Extended Care, Flinders University, Level 1, C Block, Repatriation General Hospital, Daws Road, Daw Park, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia, 5041.

The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews

|November 21, 2017

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Virtual reality (VR) and interactive video gaming show no significant benefit over conventional therapy for upper limb function post-stroke. However, VR may improve function when added to usual care, increasing therapy dose.

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Area of Science:

Neurorehabilitation
Digital Health
Clinical Trials

Background:

Virtual reality (VR) and interactive video gaming are emerging as therapeutic tools in stroke rehabilitation.
Commercial gaming consoles are increasingly utilized in clinical settings for post-stroke recovery.
This review is an updated Cochrane Review, first published in 2011 and updated in 2015.

Purpose of the Study:

To determine the efficacy of VR compared to alternative interventions or no intervention on upper limb function and activity.
To assess VR's impact on gait, balance, motor function, cognition, activity limitations, participation, quality of life, and adverse events.

Main Methods:

Included 72 randomized and quasi-randomized controlled trials involving 2470 participants.
Searched multiple databases including Cochrane Stroke Group Trials Register, CENTRAL, MEDLINE, and Embase.
Data extraction and risk of bias assessment were performed independently by two reviewers.

Main Results:

VR was not significantly more effective than conventional therapy for upper limb function (low-quality evidence).
VR as an adjunct to usual care showed significant improvement in upper limb function (low-quality evidence).
Statistically significant improvements were observed for activities of daily living (ADL) (moderate-quality evidence), but not for gait or balance.

Conclusions:

VR and interactive gaming do not appear superior to conventional therapy for upper limb function.
VR may enhance upper limb and ADL function when used to increase overall therapy dosage.
Insufficient evidence exists to conclude VR's effects on gait, balance, participation, or quality of life.