Technological resources in the rehabilitation of adult burn patients: A scoping review

The importance of investigating innovative technologies to improve patient rehabilitation is fundamental in the current context of healthcare. This highlights the need to map the technological resources used in the rehabilitation of adult burn patients.

A scoping review was conducted according to the parameters set by the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) guidelines and structured using the PRISMA-ScR (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses for Scoping Reviews). The scientific literature search covered various databases: Medline, CINAHL, SportDiscus, Psychology & Behavioral Sciences Collection, Scopus, SciELO, and the Cochrane Library. The inclusion criteria considered studies related to the use of technological resources in the rehabilitation of burn patients. The research was conducted until November 2024.

A total of 19 articles published between 2000 and 2024 were included. The technological resources analyzed included virtual reality (10 studies), exergames (6 studies), exoskeletons (4 studies), and augmented reality (1 study). These resources primarily aimed to promote motor functionality, increase muscle strength, and enhance joint range of motion.

The technologies applied to the rehabilitation of burn patients represent a promising advancement, with the potential to transform the paradigm of rehabilitation, making it more interactive. Future research should focus on a detailed analysis of the long-term benefits and on integrating these technologies into standard rehabilitation protocols.