A narrative review of the use of a cutting-edge virtual reality rehabilitation technology in neurological and neuropsychological rehabilitation.
Luigi Macchitella, Simone Amendola, Giulia Barraco and 4 others
PMID 38143388WHAT IT FOUND
Evidence for the Khymeia VR system is mixed.
Face-to-face VR training often improved motor and cognitive function compared to standard care. However, home-based VR via telerehabilitation mostly matched conventional treatment, failing to show superiority in many cases.
Key findings
01Face-to-face VR training combined with conventional treatment showed larger improvements in motor functioning than conventional treatment alone in post-stroke patients.
02VR delivered via telerehabilitation (home-based) generally had comparable effects to conventional face-to-face or home treatments, rather than being superior.
03Results were inconsistent across studies, with some showing improvements in specific cognitive domains while others found no difference between VR and standard care.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTsWhat it means for OTsWhat it means for SLPs
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What it does not show
The review is non-systematic and did not perform a meta-analysis, so it cannot provide a pooled effect size. Many included studies were small, had short follow-up periods, or lacked control groups. The quality of the evidence depends on the quality of the original studies, which varied widely. Inconsistent results were found across studies for the same cognitive functions, limiting firm conclusions. Few studies included children or adolescents, so findings are not generalizable to younger populations.
Declared interests
The paper does not explicitly state funding sources or conflicts of interest in the provided text, but it references the manufacturer's website (Khymeia) for system details.
The easy way to misread this
Do not assume that home-based VR (telerehabilitation) is superior to conventional home exercises. Most studies found comparable outcomes, not better ones. Additionally, do not generalize findings from post-stroke adults to children or other neurological conditions, as evidence there is sparse.