Accepted for/Published in: Journal of Medical Internet Research
Date Submitted: Jun 6, 2021
Date Accepted: Sep 12, 2021
Impact of Virtual Reality-based Therapies on Cognition and Mental Health of Stroke Patients: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
ABSTRACT
Background:
Stroke remains one of the major chronic illnesses worldwide that health care organizations will need to address for the next several decades. Individuals post-stroke are subject to levels of cognitive impairment and mental health problems. VR-based therapies are new technologies for cognitive rehabilitation and the management of psychologic outcomes.
Objective:
This study performs a meta-analysis to evaluate the effects of VR-based therapies on cognitive function and mental health in stroke patients.
Methods:
A comprehensive database search was performed through PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, APA Psyclnfo and Web of Science for Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) which studied the effects of VR stroke patients. We included trials published up to April 15, 2021, that fulfilled our inclusion and exclusion criteria. The literature was screened, the data were extracted and the methodological quality of the included trials was assessed. Meta-analyses were performed by using RevMan 5.3 software.
Results:
A total of 894 patients from 23 RCTs were included in our meta-analysis. Comparing to traditional rehabilitation therapies, the executive function [SMD = 0.88, 95%CI (0.06, 1.70), P = .03], memory [SMD = 1.44, 95%CI (0.21, 2.68), P = .02] and visuospatial function [SMD = 0.78, 95%CI (0.23, 1.33), P = .01] were significantly improved among stroke patients with VR intervention. However, there were no significant differences were observed on global cognitive function, attention, verbal fluency, depression and the quality of life.
Conclusions:
The findings of our meta-analysis showed that VR-based therapies were efficacious in improving executive function, memory, and visuospatial function in stroke patients. As for global cognitive function, attention, verbal fluency, depression, and the quality of life, further research is required. Clinical Trial: CRD42021252788
Citation
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Copyright
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