Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40433613›Full record

SynthesisFrontiers in neurology2025

The study of the effect of virtual reality technology combined with sports games on improving cognitive function in patients with brain injury: a meta analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Yuze Zhang, Haojie Li, Hong Xiao

Abstract readSystematic Review
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Frontiers in neurology, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.

  1. Pooled it
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

3 authors.

Yuze ZhangDepartment of Martial Arts and Ethnic Traditions, Henan Sport University, Zhengzhou, China.
Haojie LiSchool of Exercise and Health, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai, China.
Hong XiaoDepartment of Martial Arts and Ethnic Traditions, Henan Sport University, Zhengzhou, China.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Background: Brain injury is a major public health issue causing cognitive impairment. Key types include traumatic, ischemic, neurological, infectious, metabolic injuries, and stroke. As populations age, brain injury rates rise, making effective cognitive rehabilitation methods increasingly urgent. Virtual reality sports games, blending immersion and training, offer a new rehab solution. Methods: Firstly, we registered in the International Prospective Systematic Review Registry (PROSPERO) website. A total of 12 randomized controlled trials were included in this Meta-analysis. Data were analyzed by Meta-analysis using the random effects model in State statistical software. The primary outcome indicator of the study was cognitive function. Results: This study included 12 RCTs with 540 participants to evaluate the impact of virtual reality exercise on cognitive function in brain-injured patients. The analysis revealed significant cognitive improvement with an SMD of 0.88 (95% CI: 0.59, 1.17), Conclusion: Virtual reality (VR) sports games significantly enhanced cognitive function, coordination, and reaction speed in brain-injured patients, thereby boosting their learning motivation and engagement. Systematic Review Registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/, identifier CRD42024581533.

Indexed as

brain-injured patientscognitive functionnovel rehabilitation modalityRCTvirtual game technology

Identifiers

PMID40433613
PMCPMC12108802

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.