Virtual Reality-assisted Physiotherapeutic Training for Patients With Knee Osteoarthritis: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Liu, Hsuan-Wei; Tsai, Tsung-Lin · Am J Phys Med Rehabil · 2026

meta_analysis · Level I

Where this comes from

Abstract

To evaluate the effectiveness of virtual reality (VR)-assisted physiotherapy in improving pain, physical function, and balance in patients with knee osteoarthritis (KOA) compared with traditional rehabilitation treatments. Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs). This analysis included 5 randomized controlled trials (RCTs). The pooled results showed that, compared with consistency rehabilitation, virtual reality (VR)-assisted physiotherapy produced significantly better outcomes in patients with knee osteoarthritis (KOA) for pain relief (SMD = 0.40, 95% CI: 0.14-0.65, P = 0.002), physical function (SMD = 0.37, 95% CI: 0.05-0.70, P = 0.003), and balance (SMD = 0.44, 95% CI: 0.16-0.72, P = 0.002). Virtual reality-assisted physiotherapy is an effective intervention for patients with knee osteoarthritis, showing superior outcomes in pain reduction, functional improvement, and balance enhancement compared to traditional rehabilitation approaches.

Medical subject headings