Virtual Reality-Assisted Rehabilitation for Upper-Limb Function in Stroke Survivors: A Systematic Review

Area of Science:

• Neurorehabilitation
• Digital Health Technologies
• Clinical Trials Methodology

Background:

• Upper-limb impairment significantly contributes to chronic disability post-stroke.
• Conventional rehabilitation methods often face challenges with patient adherence, accessibility, and intensity.
• There is a need for innovative approaches to enhance stroke recovery outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and non-randomized studies on virtual reality (VR) interventions for upper-limb stroke rehabilitation.
• To analyze participant characteristics, VR intervention details, outcomes, and adherence rates.
• To assess the safety and feasibility of VR in stroke recovery.

Main Methods:

• Systematic review of RCTs and non-randomized designs published between 2019 and 2024.
• Searched major databases (PubMed, Embase, Wiley, Scopus, Cochrane).
• Assessed study quality using RoB 2 and ROBINS-I tools, adhering to PRISMA guidelines.

Main Results:

• Forty-one trials met inclusion criteria, exhibiting significant variability in methodology and interventions.
• Low dropout rates were observed, with adverse events being uncommon, indicating VR safety and feasibility.
• High heterogeneity across studies limited direct comparability of outcomes.

Conclusions:

• Virtual reality is a safe and feasible option for upper-limb stroke rehabilitation.
• Standardized protocols and long-term follow-up are crucial for future research.
• Large-scale, multicenter clinical trials are essential to define VR's definitive role in stroke care.