Efficacy of Immersive Virtual Reality for Improving Upper Limb Motor Function in Patients with Central Nervous System Disorders

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effectiveness of immersive virtual reality (VR) on upper extremity (UE) motor function, gross motor dexterity, hand grip strength, and activities of daily living (ADLs) in individuals with central nervous system disorders (CNSDs). DESIGN: A search was conducted in PubMed, PEDro, Cochrane Library, Scopus, and Web of Science. A random-effects meta-analysis with subgroup analyses (comparator, follow-up, intervention type, and number of sessions) was performed. RESULTS: Ten RCTs (n=367) met inclusion criteria. Immersive VR significantly improved UE motor function [SMD=0.56; 95% CI: 0.17-0.95; I²=67%] compared with conventional or mirror therapy. Gross motor dexterity improved significantly [MD=7.52 blocks/min; 95% CI: 2.22-12.82; I²=92%]. No significant effect was observed for hand grip strength [MD=1.79 kgf; 95% CI: -13.24-16.81; I²=73%]. For ADLs, immersive VR showed a statistically significant benefit [SMD=0.74; 95% CI: 0.44-1.05; I²=9%]. CONCLUSIONS: Immersive VR may be a promising intervention for enhancing UE motor function and improving ADLs in individuals with stroke and spinal cord injury. Future research should focus on larger, high-quality clinical trials to optimize intervention protocols and ensure their safety in patients with central nervous system disorders.