Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42087880›Full record

ReviewProgress in rehabilitation medicine2026

Exploring Usability and User Engagement in Fully Immersive Virtual Reality Systems for Upper Limb Stroke Rehabilitation: A Scoping Review.

Dimosthenis Lygouras, Avgoustos Tsinakos, Konstantinos Vadikolias, Ioannis Seimenis

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Progress in rehabilitation medicine, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–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. Review
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

4 authors.

Dimosthenis LygourasDepartment of Informatics, School of Sciences, Democritus University of Thrace, Kavala, Greece.
Avgoustos TsinakosDepartment of Informatics, School of Sciences, Democritus University of Thrace, Kavala, Greece.
Konstantinos VadikoliasDepartment of Neurology, School of Medicine, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece.
Ioannis SeimenisDepartment of Medical Physics, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Objectives: Fully immersive virtual reality (FIVR) systems are emerging as innovative tools for upper limb stroke rehabilitation. These systems provide immersive, interactive environments that foster motivation, engagement, and functional recovery. This scoping review examines the usability of FIVR systems for upper limb rehabilitation among stroke survivors, focusing on evaluation methods, patient and therapist experiences, and barriers to adoption. Methods: The review followed PRISMA-ScR guidelines. A systematic search of PubMed, IEEE Xplore, and Scopus identified 20 eligible studies. Data were extracted on study design, participant demographics, VR system characteristics, software, task type, game/task elements, usability evaluation methods, and key findings. Results: The findings demonstrate generally positive benefits in terms of usability and engagement, with participants indicating both motivation and enjoyment during FIVR interventions. However, there was considerable variability in assessment methods, including both quantitative and qualitative approaches, as well as in hardware, software, interaction methods and no standardized framework. Common challenges included mild side effects (e.g., dizziness), technical complexity, and the need to adapt to patients' varying abilities. Such limitations highlight gaps in the standardization and replicability of usability assessment across studies. Conclusions: FIVR systems offer potential as supplements to conventional therapy, providing engaging and personalized rehabilitation experiences. Improving usability assessment through standardized frameworks, addressing technical and accessibility barriers, and ensuring the adaptability of interventions to individual patient needs are critical to optimizing effectiveness and supporting broader clinical adoption.

Indexed as

fully immersive virtual realityoccupational therapystrokeupper limbusability assessment

Identifiers

PMID42087880
PMCPMC13138795

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
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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.