Trends in robot-assisted and virtual reality-assisted neuromuscular therapy: a systematic review of health-related multiplayer games.

Only 13 studies were included, and they differed in players, games, devices, modes and outcomes, so the review could not give a clear answer. The search was limited to English and German publications, and the authors noted possible publication bias. The review mainly focused on neuromuscular therapy and health-related training, so it may not cover other relevant fields. The review was not registered in any database. The mean methodological quality score was 12.1 points out of 22, and the power item scored 0 points. The population was mixed, including students, healthy people, adolescents, adults and people with arm impairment, so findings may not apply to all rehabilitation patients. No follow-up studies were available for the included interventions, so long-term effects were not assessed. The studies did not consistently report how devices and games were selected or designed. The full variety of multiplayer modes was not covered.

The funding section names the Schweizerischer Nationalfonds zur Förderung der Wissenschaftlichen Forschung (CH) and the Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule Zürich (CH). The supplied text gives no author conflict-of-interest declarations.

Do not conclude that a multiplayer mode alone improves rehabilitation. The games also involved different devices, partners, difficulty settings and outcomes, and the review could not separate their effects.