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. 2024 Feb;60(1):37-43.
doi: 10.23736/S1973-9087.23.08025-5. Epub 2023 Nov 16.

Do patients with neurological disorders benefit from immersive virtual reality? A scoping review on the emerging use of the computer-assisted rehabilitation environment

Maria G Maggio  1 , Rocha P Cezar  2   3 , Demetrio Milardi  4 , Daniele Borzelli  4 , Cristiano DE Marchis  5 , Andrea D'Avella  4   6 , Angelo Quartarone  1 , Rocco S Calabrò  7
Affiliations

Do patients with neurological disorders benefit from immersive virtual reality? A scoping review on the emerging use of the computer-assisted rehabilitation environment

Maria G Maggio et al. Eur J Phys Rehabil Med. 2024 Feb.

Abstract

Introduction: Virtual reality (VR) is an advanced technology that creates simulated environments and conditions. By offering the possibility of combining motor, cognitive, and well-being in conjunction with the potential to manipulate multi-sensorial features in a safe environment, VR has emerged as a promising powerful rehabilitation tool. Among advanced VR systems, various authors have highlighted promising effects in the rehabilitation of the computer-assisted rehabilitation environment (CAREN - Motekforce Link; Amsterdam, The Netherlands). In our scoping review, we aimed to map the existing evidence on the use of CAREN in the rehabilitation of neurological patients.

Evidence acquisition: This scoping review was conducted following the PRISMA guidelines. A search was carried out for all peer-reviewed articles published until June 30, 2023, using the following databases: PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Database, PeDro and Web of Science. The following terms have been used: ("Cognitive Rehabilitation" OR "Motor Rehabilitation" OR "CAREN" or "Computer-Assisted Rehabilitation Environment") AND ("Virtual Reality" OR "Rehab").

Evidence synthesis: From the assessed studies, only seven met the inclusion criteria: 1) one study concerned cognitive rehabilitation in patients suffering from Parkinson's Disease (PD); 2) one was on the usability of CAREN in PD patients; 3) two studies related to the influence of emotional components to CAREN rehabilitation; 4) three studies were related to motor rehabilitation using CAREN, and involved individuals with PD, Multiple Sclerosis, TBI, respectively. Generally, the few assessed studies demonstrate that CAREN is a safe and potentially effective tool to treat different symptoms (including gait and vestibular disturbances, executive function, depressive mood, and anxiety) in patients with different neurological disorders.

Conclusions: The reviewed literature indicated the potential use of CAREN in improving motor and cognitive skills with conflicting results on emotional aspects. However, since the data comes from few and small sample size studies, further research is needed to confirm the effectiveness of the tool in neurorehabilitation.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflicts of interest :The authors certify that there is no conflict of interest with any financial organization regarding the material discussed in the manuscript.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
—PRISMA 2020 flow diagram for new systematic reviews which included searches of databases and registers only.
Figure 2
Figure 2
—The CAREN tool consisting of a six-DOF platform, with a dual belt treadmill and a 180° VR screen.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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