25 January 2024 | Hamid Bateni, Jenna Carruthers, Rebecca Mohan, and Seyeadmirhossein Pishva
Virtual reality (VR) is increasingly being used in physical therapy as both an intervention and diagnostic tool. This review summarizes the literature on VR applications in physical therapy, highlighting its potential benefits in improving patient outcomes. VR systems offer a controlled, immersive environment that can enhance patient engagement and motivation, particularly in rehabilitation settings. The review discusses various VR systems, including Oculus, CAREN, Samsung Gear VR, Psious, and Virtualis, each with unique features and applications in physical therapy. VR has been used to assess and diagnose conditions such as postural stability in Alzheimer's disease and balance impairments following mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). It has also been employed in interventions to improve gait, balance, and motor function in patients with Parkinson's disease, stroke, and multiple sclerosis. Studies have shown that VR can effectively enhance balance and mobility in these populations, as measured by the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and Timed Up and Go (TUG) tests. Additionally, VR has been used to address pain related to burns and phantom limb pain, demonstrating its potential as a therapeutic tool. Despite promising results, further research is needed to fully understand the optimal implementation of VR in physical therapy and to maximize its benefits for patients. The integration of VR into physical therapy is gaining popularity due to its ability to provide a safe, controlled environment for rehabilitation and assessment.Virtual reality (VR) is increasingly being used in physical therapy as both an intervention and diagnostic tool. This review summarizes the literature on VR applications in physical therapy, highlighting its potential benefits in improving patient outcomes. VR systems offer a controlled, immersive environment that can enhance patient engagement and motivation, particularly in rehabilitation settings. The review discusses various VR systems, including Oculus, CAREN, Samsung Gear VR, Psious, and Virtualis, each with unique features and applications in physical therapy. VR has been used to assess and diagnose conditions such as postural stability in Alzheimer's disease and balance impairments following mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). It has also been employed in interventions to improve gait, balance, and motor function in patients with Parkinson's disease, stroke, and multiple sclerosis. Studies have shown that VR can effectively enhance balance and mobility in these populations, as measured by the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and Timed Up and Go (TUG) tests. Additionally, VR has been used to address pain related to burns and phantom limb pain, demonstrating its potential as a therapeutic tool. Despite promising results, further research is needed to fully understand the optimal implementation of VR in physical therapy and to maximize its benefits for patients. The integration of VR into physical therapy is gaining popularity due to its ability to provide a safe, controlled environment for rehabilitation and assessment.