Virtual reality in upper extremity rehabilitation of Multiple Sclerosis patients

Anthi Chadali, Evgenia Trevlaki *, Euaggelia Zarra and Emmanouil Trevlakis

Department of Physical therapy, International Hellenic University, Greece.
 
Review
International Journal of Science and Research Archive, 2023, 09(02), 302–308.
Article DOI: 10.30574/ijsra.2023.9.2.0549
Publication history: 
Received on 03 June 2023; revised on 17 July2023; accepted on 20 July 2023
 
Abstract: 
Background: Virtual reality (VR) has emerged as a promising approach in the field of healthcare, particularly in the context of multiple sclerosis (MS), offering new possibilities for rehabilitation and improving the quality of life for individuals affected by this chronic neurological condition.
Methods: The electronic databases PubMed, Google Scholar, and PEDro were thoroughly searched using medical subject headings and free text related to multiple sclerosis, virtual reality, upper limb, and rehabilitation. The review followed the PRISMA guidelines.
Results: A total of 4 articles were included in the review. These articles examined the effects of VR in upper limb rehabilitation on patients with MS. The majority (n=2) of the studies compared VR with usual care, while one examined tele-VR and one with non-serious games.
Conclusion: VR interventions have shown promise in enhancing manual dexterity, upper limb rehabilitation, and arm function in MS patients. The use of serious games for arm rehabilitation has also demonstrated potential benefits in improving functional outcomes in MS patients.
 
Keywords: 
Multiple sclerosis; MS; Virtual reality; VR; Fatigue; Quality of life; Balance; Gait
 
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Copyright © 2023 Author(s) retain the copyright of this article. This article is published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Liscense 4.0