Effects Of Virtual Reality Therapy Research Articles

Effects of Virtual Reality Therapy Combined With Conventional Rehabilitation on Pain, Kinematic Function, and Disability in Patients With Chronic Neck Pain: Randomized Controlled Trial.

Neck pain is a common condition that leads to neck motor dysfunction and subsequent disability, with a significant global health care burden. As a newly emerging tool, virtual reality (VR) technology has been employed to address pain and reduce disability among patients with neck pain. However, there is still a lack of high-quality studies evaluating the efficacy of VR therapy combined with conventional rehabilitation for patients with chronic neck pain, particularly in terms of kinematic function. This study aims to investigate the effect of VR therapy combined with conventional rehabilitation on pain, kinematic function, and disability in patients with chronic neck pain. We conducted an assessor-blinded, allocation-concealed randomized controlled trial. Sixty-four participants experiencing chronic neck pain were randomly allocated into the experimental group that underwent VR rehabilitation plus conventional rehabilitation or the control group receiving the same amount of conventional rehabilitation alone for 10 sessions over 4 weeks. Pain intensity, disability, kinematic function (cervical range of motion, proprioception, and mean and peak velocity), degree of satisfaction, and relief of symptoms were evaluated at 3 timepoints (baseline, postintervention, and at 3 months follow-up). A 2*3 mixed repeated measures analysis of variance was utilized for analyzing the difference across indicators, with a significant difference level of .05. Both groups demonstrated significant improvements in pain, disability, and kinematic functions (P<.05) at postintervention and at 3-month follow-up. The experimental group showed superior therapeutic outcomes compared to the control group in pain reduction (mean difference from the baseline: 5.50 vs 1.81 at posttreatment; 5.21 vs 1.91 at the 3-month follow-up, respectively; P<.001), disability improvement (mean difference from baseline: 3.04 vs 0.50 at posttreatment; 3.20 vs 0.85 at the 3-month follow-up, respectively; P<.001), and enhanced kinematic functions (P<.05). Moreover, participants in the experimental group reported better satisfaction and relief of symptoms than the control group (P<.05), with better initiative for exercising during the follow-up period. However, there was no between-group difference of improvement in proprioception. No adverse events were reported or observed in our research. The findings of our study support the efficacy of combining VR therapy with conventional rehabilitation in alleviating pain, enhancing kinematic function, and reducing disability of patients with chronic neck pain. Future research should focus on refining the therapeutic protocols and dosages for VR therapy as well as on optimizing its application in clinical settings for improved convenience and effectiveness. Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ChiCTR2000040132; http://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.aspx?proj=64346.

Effectiveness of Virtual Reality Therapy in Improving Balance in Stroke Patient: A Case Report

Stroke affects approximately 15 million people worldwide every year and among those, between 55% and 75% of these survivors continue with motor deficits and reduce quality of life following the event. Balance impairment is a common consequence of a stroke, which can significantly hinder individual’s participation in daily activities, social interactions, and leisure pursuits and their ability to return to work. Rehabilitation is vital for minimizing post-stroke sequelae and facilitating the recovery of patients. Virtual reality is that allows users to interact with a multisensory simulated environment and receive real-time feedback on performance. In this case report we presented a 50-year-old patient diagnosed as stroke had left hemiparesis and having difficulty in maintaining balance and walking and enrolled in physical rehabilitation for 6 weeks in that we incorporated virtual reality therapy to improve balance and quality of life. Where he had positive results and recovered well. Keywords: Stroke, Balance impairment, Virtual Reality therapy, Physical rehabilitation

Effectiveness of Virtual Reality Therapy on Balance and Gait in the Elderly: A Systematic Review.

Virtual reality (VR) therapies are presently utilized to treat physical and cognitive impairments among elderly people. This systematic review aims to collect the most recent evidence on the effectiveness of VR in improving balance and gait among healthy elderly individuals, in comparison with other therapies. A literature search was conducted using the PubMed, SCOPUS, PEDro, and WoS databases, by selecting randomized clinical trials that evaluated balance, both static and dynamic, as well as gait in a population of healthy older adults who underwent virtual reality therapy. The methodological quality of the studies was assessed using the PEDro scale. After eligibility criteria were applied and duplicates were removed, 20 studies were selected out of 1705 initially identified. The present systematic review concludes that virtual reality therapy is more effective than minimal intervention or usual care in enhancing static balance, dynamic balance, and gait in healthy elderly individuals. Moreover, virtual reality therapy yields better outcomes compared to traditional balance training and physical exercise in improving balance and gait in this demographic. However, both methods have shown effectiveness.

Effect of Virtual Reality Therapy with Brain Gym Exercises for Sleep-deprived Individuals: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Background and Aim: Sleep deprivation refers to getting less than the required amount of sleep, which for adults range between 7 and 9 h per night and can be caused due to social and biological factors. Virtual reality therapy (VRT) allows individuals to experience a computer-generated virtual environment so that they can be exposed to stimuli that imitate real-world experiences and have been used in other psychological conditions with positive outcomes. Brain Gym (BG) is a kinesiology program that engages the participant in a number of activities that teach the body how to comprehend the primary behavior and coordinate the brain and body. Materials and Methods: A randomized clinical trial was performed by screening 51 samples, from which 32 individuals were recruited, using purposive sampling, based on the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) which was used as the inclusion criteria. VRT session was for 15 min and BG exercises were given thrice a week for 4 weeks. The PSQI and Athens Insomnia Scale (AIS) were used as the outcome measures and were assessed after the intervention. The Shapiro–Wilk test, paired t-test, and independent sample t-test were used for the statistical analysis of the data. Results: There was a significant difference between the pre- and postscores of the PSQI of Group A (Pre – 7.00 ± 1.55; Post – 6.31 ± 2.06; P = 0.029) and Group B (Pre – 8.44 ± 2.63; Post – 6.19 ± 2.97; P = 0.001), although Group B showed a better improvement, based on the effect size (1.06) and Group B (Pre – 7.13 ± 2.58; Post – 5.63 ± 2.60) showed a significant difference in the pre- and postvalues of the AIS (P = 0.011). Conclusion: The study concluded that VRT and BG exercises were effective interventions, although BG exercises were shown to be more effective than the virtual reality intervention.

To What Extent is Virtual Reality Therapy Efficient as A Treatment of Social Anxiety Disorder?

The effectiveness of virtual reality therapy as a therapeutic intervention for individuals with social anxiety disorder is investigated in this study. This research was created using a meta-analytical method and a review of several studies and conclusions by prior experts. It seeks to obtain a better knowledge of how virtual reality treatment impacts key symptoms and indications of social anxiety disorder, such as self-esteem and social interaction abilities. It also contributes to the current body of research and advances understanding of virtual reality therapy's potential as a cutting-edge, effective treatment for psychiatric issues. The study also incorporates culturally sensitive adaptations to VR therapies that take into consideration individuals' diverse cultural backgrounds. Additionally, the study looks at VR therapy's cost, flexibility, and economic factors. In conclusion, this research paper offers a thorough grasp of the possible uses and restrictions of virtual reality treatment.

Effectiveness of virtual reality therapy in chronic unilateral vestibular hypofunction: A randomized controlled study.

The aim of the study was to investigate the superiority of rehabilitation with virtual reality (Nintendo Wii) over habituation exercises in chronic vestibular hypofunction. Eighty-seven patients (44 males, 43 females; mean age: 45.8±12.2 years; range, 19 to 70 years) with chronic unilateral vestibular hypofunction were included in the prospective randomized controlled study conducted between October 2017 and June 2018. Patients were randomized into two groups: the treatment group (TG; n=45) and the control group (n=42). Each group received vestibular rehabilitation exercises. The TG exercised with visual stimulation (virtual reality) in addition to the standard exercises. The patients were evaluated before the treatment and at two and three months. The frequency of dizziness was questioned. Visual analog scale, timed up and go test, Berg balance test, Romberg test, and Dizziness Handicap Inventory questionnaire were used to assess the patients. There was a statistically significant decrease in the severity of dizziness in both groups at two- and three-month controls (p<0.001). In the comparison between the groups, severity of dizziness, frequency of attacks, and daily frequency were significantly improved in the TG (p<0.001). Adding virtual reality therapy to habituation exercises is effective in reducing the frequency of attacks.

Effect of Virtual Reality on Sleep-Deprived Individuals.

Sleep deprivation (SD) refers to getting less than the required amount of sleep, which for adults ranges from 7 to 9 h of sleep per night and can be caused by social and biological factors. College students experience SD, which can affect their academic performance, health, and mood. Virtual Reality Therapy (VRT), an upcoming method of intervention, has been used in other psychological conditions with positive outcomes. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of VRT on individuals with SD. This quasi-experimental study recruited 28 individuals based on the scores of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Athens Insomnia Scale, and Beck's Depression Inventory, which were used as the inclusion and exclusion criteria. VRT sessions of 20 min were given twice a week for 2 weeks. PSQI was also used as an outcome measure, immediately and 2 weeks after the intervention. A significant difference was found between the baseline and post-intervention PSQI scores (p = 0.001, effect size = 1.2). There was not much difference between the PSQI scores immediately and 2 weeks after the intervention. VRT was effective in improving sleep in individuals with SD.

Effects of Virtual Reality Therapy and Range of Motion Exercise on Range of Motion in Stroke Patients: Meta-Analysis

Background: Stroke is a disease caused by interference with blood flow in the brain which is still a global problem today. Post-stroke care needs to be done to prevent the worsening of the condition. One of the right interventions that can be done is virtual reality therapy and range of motion exercise. This study aims to examine, analyze and estimate changes in the range of motion of stroke patients with virtual reality therapy and range of motion exercise. Subjects and Method: Metaanalysis was carried out according to the PRISMA flow chart and the PICO model (Population: stroke patients, Intervention: virtual reality therapy and range of motion exercise, Comparison: not performed virtual reality therapy and range of motion exercise Outcome: range of motion). The databases used are Google Scholar, PubMed, and Science Direct. The keywords used (“virtual reality” OR VR) AND (stroke OR CVD) AND (“range of motion exercise” OR ROM OR “motor exercise”) AND (stroke OR CVD) AND “Randomized Control Trial”. The inclusion criteria were full-text articles with RCT studies published in 2012-2022, articles in English, and bivariate and multivariate analysis. Analysis was performed using ReVman 5.3. Results: There were 20 articles with a randomized control trial design originating from Iran, Turkey, China, Egypt, Myanmar, South Korea, Spain, the Netherlands, Italy, Switzerland, and Canada involving 799 people. A meta-analysis of 10 RCT studies concluded that virtual reality therapy increased the range of motion of stroke patients by 2.77 units (SMD= 2.77; 95% CI = 1.29 to 4.24; p&lt;0.001) compared to no virtual reality therapy. In addition, the range of motion exercise intervention can also increase the stroke patient's range of motion by 0.84 units (SMD= 0.84; 95% CI= 0.35 to 1.33; p&lt;0.001) compared to not being given range of motion exercise. Conclusion: Virtual Reality Therapy and Range of Motion exercises can increase the range of motion of stroke patients. Keywords: virtual reality therapy, range of motion exercise, stroke, range of motion, meta-analysis. Correspondence: Septyan Dwi Nugroho. Masters Program in Public Health, Universitas Sebelas Maret. Jl. Ir Sutami 36A, Surakarta 57126, Central Java. Email: septyandwin@gmail.com. Mobile: 081804418933. Indonesian Journal of Medicine (2023), 08(01): 23-36 https://doi.org/10.26911/theijmed.2023.08.01.03

Virtual reality for neurorehabilitation: A bibliometric analysis of knowledge structure and theme trends.

As an emerging technology, virtual reality (VR) has been broadly applied in the medical field, especially in neurorehabilitation. The growing application of VR therapy promotes an increasing amount of clinical studies. In this paper, we present a bibliometric analysis of the existing studies to reveal the current research hotspots and guide future research directions. Articles and reviews on the related topic were retrieved from the Science Citation Index Expanded of Web of Science Core Collection database. VOSviewer and Citespace software were applied to systematically analyze information about publications, countries, institutions, authors, journals, citations, and keywords from the included studies. A total of 1,556 papers published between 1995 and 2021 were identified. The annual number of papers increased gradually over the past three decades, with a peak publication year in 2021 (n = 276). Countries and institutions from North America and Western European were playing leading roles in publications and total citations. Current hotspots were focused on the effectiveness of VR therapy in cognitive and upper limb motor rehabilitation. The clusters of keywords contained the four targeted neurological diseases of VR, while the burst keywords represented that the latest studies were directed toward more defined types of VR therapy and greater study design. Our study offers information regarding to the current hotspots and emerging trends in the VR for rehabilitation field. It could guide future research and application of VR therapy in neurorehabilitation.

The effect of virtual reality therapy and counseling on students' public speaking anxiety.

Background and AimsOne of the barriers to effective communication between speaker and listeners is public speaking anxiety (PSA). Over recent years, PSA has become common among students as the most widespread social anxiety (SA). Virtual reality (VR) and counseling therapy help reduce PSA. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the effect of VR therapy and counseling on students' PSA and SA.MethodsThis quasi‐experimental study was conducted on 30 students at three levels of undergraduate, postgraduate, and PhD at Kerman University of Medical Sciences and Shiraz University of Medical Sciences (15 students in the intervention group and 15 in the control group). The intervention group observed four virtual classroom scenarios in a 30‐min session, and the control group attended a 90‐min group counseling session. Data were collected using by Personal Report of Public Speaking Anxiety, Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale, and Igroup Presence Questionnaire. The data analysis was done using SPSS version 21. Descriptive analysis (frequency and percentage, mean, standard deviation, and quartiles) and analytical tests (paired t‐test and independent t‐test) were used to analyze the data.ResultsThe results showed that VR and counseling did not affect SA scores and statistical differences before and after the intervention were not statistically significant. However, VR and counseling reduced PSA. The mean of IPQ/IGP (physical presence) was 63.73. The participants' SA means (93.76) were higher than the mean PSA (73.4).ConclusionsVR and counseling did not affect students' SA, but they reduced PSA. If the intervention duration in future studies are longer, the effect of VR and counseling on reducing SA is likely to become more apparent.

TU-184. Effect of virtual reality therapy on cognitive functions in elderly: A systematic review

TU-184. Effect of virtual reality therapy on cognitive functions in elderly: A systematic review

A comparative study on the effectiveness of virtual reality and cognitive behavioral therapies on ailurophobia and rumination in people with ailurophobia

This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of virtual reality therapy (VRT) and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) on ailurophobia and rumination in people with ailurophobia. This study utilized a quasi-experimental pretest-posttest research design and a 1-month follow-up period with an experimental group implementing two methods, VRT and CBT, and a control group. The statistical population consisted of all people with ailurophobia in Isfahan in the summer and autumn of 2020. The sample size was determined at 30 people using the convenience sampling method. They were randomly divided into three groups: VRT, CBT, and Control. Measurement tools included Nolen-Hoeksema and Moro's 24-item Ruminative Response Scale (2008) and a 10-item researcher-made ailurophobia questionnaire. VRT and CBT methods were implemented in 8 sessions of 30 minutes and 9 sessions of 90 minutes, respectively, for two months for two experimental groups. Data were analyzed using multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA). The results showed no significant difference (p&lt;0.05) between VRT and CBT in terms of effectiveness on ailurophobia and rumination in people with ailurophobia.

Virtual Reality in Treatment for Psychological Problems in First-Line Health Care Professionals Fighting COVID-19 Pandemic: A Case Series.

Virtual reality therapy (VRT) is a new psychotherapeutic approach integrating virtual reality technology and psychotherapy. This case series aimed to study effectiveness of VRT in treating psychological problems. We described four cases of first-line health care professionals with emerging clinically significant early psychological problems during the COVID-19 outbreak, and specifically received the VRT treatment. We compared the Patient Health Questionnaire 9 items (PHQ-9), Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), PHQ-15, and Athens Insomnia Scale to evaluate psychological symptoms and sleep quality before and after sessions. All four cases showed a reduction in scale comparison. General scores of the PHQ-9 reduced 65%, GAD-7 reduced 52.17%, PHQ-15 decreased 38.17%, and scores of the Athens Insomnia Scale reduced 67.44%. Meanwhile, a reduction in depression, anxiety, psychosomatic, and sleeping symptoms was also found, which decreased 76.92% in general. These results are highly significant statistically. This case series demonstrated the effectiveness of VRT on psychological problems as a promising approach to apply on various psychological distress and disorders.

The Use of Virtual Therapy in Cardiac Rehabilitation of Male Patients with Coronary Heart Disease: A Randomized Pilot Study.

The study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of virtual reality therapy (VRT) in the treatment of anxiety–depressive disorders and in reducing stress levels in a group of men with coronary heart disease (CHD) participating in cardiac rehabilitation (CR). The study included 34 men with CHD who were assigned to the experimental group (EG) or the control group (CG). CR in the EG was supported by 8 VRT sessions, while CR in the CG was supplemented with 8 SAT sessions. Anxiety–depressive disorders were assessed using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Perceived stress was assessed using the Perception of Stress Questionnaire (PSQ). In the EG, all measured parameters improved after the intervention. Significant reductions in HADS total score, the HADS-A, general stress score, emotional tension, and the external stress were obtained. In the CG, a deterioration in all measured parameters was observed. Significant changes were obtained in the general stress score and intrapsychic stress. The analysis between groups showed that the effectiveness of psychological interventions significantly differed between groups. The study results confirmed that supplementing standard CR with VRT leads to an improvement in the mental state of the patients and thus has a positive effect on the course of CR. However, the small sample size and high withdrawal rate prompt cautious interpretation of the results.

Effect of virtual reality therapy on stress and anxiety symptoms, and physiological measures among University students: an experimental study in Jordan

Effect of virtual reality therapy on stress and anxiety symptoms, and physiological measures among University students: an experimental study in Jordan

Virtual Reality Therapy to Control Burn Pain: Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Virtual reality therapy has been shown to be an excellent alternative to non-pharmacological treatment for the control of burn pain. The objective was to evaluate the effects of virtual reality therapy on pain control in people who have suffered burns published in the scientific literature. Systematic review carried out as recommended by Cochrane. The search was carried out in the Embase, PubMed, Lilacs, and Cochrane Library databases, in the period from March 2021. Randomized clinical trials were included without language restriction and year of publication. The risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane tool. Of the 3755 articles found, only 17 articles were selected for reading in full. Of these, only four articles met the inclusion criteria. The results of the studies showed that the use of virtual reality therapy reduced the intensity of pain in children and adolescents with burns, despite the fact that most results are not statistically significant. No selected study had a high risk of bias. Virtual reality therapy has been shown to be effective in controlling pain, reducing the time spent thinking about it and greater distraction during the procedures. However, most randomized clinical trials results were not statistically significant in at least one of the moments when pain was assessed. It is noteworthy that randomized clinical trials are still necessary to administer virtual reality therapy, especially in adults.

A quasi experimental study to assess the effectiveness of virtual reality therapy upon anxiety among B.Sc. (N) I year students in selected nursing colleges, Chennai

A quasi experimental study to assess the effectiveness of virtual reality therapy upon anxiety among B.Sc. (N) I year students in selected nursing colleges, Chennai

Effect of Virtual Reality Therapy on Upper Extremity Function in Patients With Chronic Stroke Patients

Effect of Virtual Reality Therapy on Upper Extremity Function in Patients With Chronic Stroke Patients

A Systematic Review of Virtual Reality Treatment Program on Patients with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Purpose The aims of this systematic review were to identify the study protocol of Virtual Reality Therapy (VRT) and review the effect of VRT among patients with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Methods This review followed the guideline of Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). A systematic literature search was conducted using 12 electronic databases including gray literature with no limit of publication year. Search terms included relevant terms regarding “PTSD”, “trauma”, and “VRT”. Among 265 studies extracted through PRISMA, 20 studies were selected and evaluated for quality assessment using the Risk of Bias tool of Cochrane’s collaboration. Results The majority of the literature focused on combat veterans and war situations (95%).Usually, each session usually took 60~120 minutes of VRT in 10~20 sessions for 5~10 weeks. The VRT equipment and contents were individually designed considering patients’ traumatic experiences. Most of the studies reported the positive effects associated to reduced levels of PTSD (80%) and related symptoms, such as, depression (45%) and anxiety (25%). Conclusion Based on our findings, further studies are required to evaluate VRT in people with PTSD, after improving study design and standardizing protocols. Key words: Stress disorders, post-traumatic; Virtual reality exposure therapy; Systematic review as topic 주요어: 외상후 ìŠ¤íŠ¸ë ˆìŠ¤ìž¥ì• , 가상현실 ë ¸ì¶œì¹˜ë£Œ, ì²´ê³„ì ë¬¸í—Œê³ ì°°

Virtual Reality Therapy for Depression and Mood in Long-Term Care Facilities.

Virtual reality (VR) describes a family of technologies which immerse users in sensorily-stimulating virtual environments. Such technologies have increasingly found applications in the treatment of neurological and mental health disorders. Depression, anxiety, and other mood abnormalities are of concern in the growing older population—especially those who reside in long-term care facilities (LTCFs). The transition from the familiar home environment to the foreign LTCF introduces a number of stressors that can precipitate depression. However, recent studies reveal that VR therapy (VRT) can promote positive emotionality and improve cognitive abilities in older people, both at home and in LTCFs. VR thus holds potential in allowing older individuals to gradually adapt to their new environments—thereby mitigating the detrimental effects of place attachment and social exclusion. Nevertheless, while the current psychological literature is promising, the implementation of VR in LTCFs faces many challenges. LTCF residents must gain trust in VR technologies, care providers require training to maximize the positive effects of VRT, and decision makers must evaluate both the opportunities and obstacles in adopting VR. In this review article, we concisely discuss the implications of depression related to place attachment in LTCFs, and explore the potential therapeutic applications of VR.