Cochrane Review Shows Virtual Reality May Help Regain Arm Movement in Stroke Survivors

New Delhi: A Cochrane review has found that virtual reality, when used in addition to standard therapy, can help stroke survivors regain arm movement. The findings suggested that virtual reality could be a promising tool to boost rehabilitation efforts, particularly by increasing the amount of therapy patients receive.

This is the fourth update of a Cochrane review first released in 2011 and now includes data from 190 trials involving 7,188 participants—with 119 new studies added since the previous version in 2017. The review assessed a wide range of virtual reality technologies, from simple screen-based gaming to immersive, head-mounted devices specifically developed for rehabilitation settings.

A team of Cochrane authors found that virtual reality, when compared to conventional therapy, may slightly improve arm function and activity. More promising effects were seen when virtual reality was added to usual care, increasing total therapy time and leading to greater gains in arm function.

The review also found virtual reality may be beneficial for improving balance and reducing activity limitations, though effects on mobility, participation, and quality of life remain uncertain due to limited or low-certainty evidence.