Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42531289›Full record

ArticlePloS one2026

Design and validation of an immersive virtual rehabilitation system for individuals with vestibular disorders: A feasibility study.

Abdulaziz Ibrahem-Altwijri, Sergio Albiol-Pérez, María-Dolores Cortés-Vega, Cristina García-Muñoz, Rocio Sasián Ramírez de Arellano, José-Antonio Gil-Gómez, José-Antonio Lozano-Quilis, María Jesús Casuso-Holgado

Abstract readValidation Study
In one paragraph

Article in PloS one, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing 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

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

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

8 authors.

Abdulaziz Ibrahem-AltwijriSystems Engineering and Computing, Universidad de Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0008-7252-7772
Sergio Albiol-PérezAragón Health Research Institute (IIS Aragón), Universidad de Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain.
María-Dolores Cortés-VegaDepartamento de Fisioterapia, Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, España.
Cristina García-MuñozDepartamento Ciencias de la Salud y Biomédicas, Universidad Loyola Andalucía, Seville, Spain.
Rocio Sasián Ramírez de ArellanoUnidad de vértigo y equilibrio, Grupo Recoletas López Cano, Cádiz, Andalucía, Spain.
José-Antonio Gil-GómezInstituto Universitario de Automática e Informática Industrial, Universitat Politècnica de València, Valencia, Spain.
José-Antonio Lozano-QuilisInstituto Universitario de Automática e Informática Industrial, Universitat Politècnica de València, Valencia, Spain.
María Jesús Casuso-HolgadoInstituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla (IBiS), Departamento de Fisioterapia, Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, España.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4217-6827

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundVestibular rehabilitation is an essential part of managing balance disorders, but traditional exercises can often be repetitive and demotivating for patients. This can reduce adherence and limit treatment outcomes.

objectiveThis study aimed to assess the feasibility, usability, patient satisfaction, and safety of DizzyVR, an immersive virtual reality system designed to support vestibular rehabilitation. Preliminary data on its potential effects on clinical outcomes were also collected.

methodsA prospective, single-arm feasibility study was conducted with ten participants diagnosed with various vestibular disorders. Each participant completed eight weekly sessions using DizzyVR. Feasibility was assessed through session attendance and completion rates. Usability, satisfaction, and safety were measured using the System Usability Scale, the User Satisfaction Evaluation Questionnaire, and the Simulator Sickness Questionnaire. Clinical measures included the Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI), Timed Up and Go (TUG) test, Activities-specific Balance Confidence (ABC) scale, and Functional Gait Assessment (FGA).

resultsTen participants completed the training, with a high adherence rate (91.25%). Usability scores indicated good ease of use, and satisfaction scores were high. Mild adverse events such as nausea or disorientation were reported by three participants, but improved over time. Exploratory pre-post changes were observed in gait speed (TUG: p = 0.002), balance confidence (ABC: p = 0.007), and gait stability (FGA: p = 0.012). While DHI scores demonstrated a trend toward improvement, the change did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.081). Overall, participants reported feeling safe and expressed willingness to recommend and reuse the system.

conclusionsThe findings suggest that DizzyVR is a feasible, usable, and well-accepted tool that may complement conventional vestibular rehabilitation. The system appears to support patient motivation and safe participation while showing promising exploratory changes in balance and gait. Further studies with larger samples, control groups, and longer follow-up are recommended to confirm and expand on these promising preliminary results.

Indexed as

Vestibular DiseasesVirtual RealityAdultAgedDizzinessExercise TherapyFeasibility StudiesFemaleGaitHumansMaleMiddle AgedPatient SatisfactionPostural BalanceProspective StudiesSurveys and Questionnaires

Identifiers

PMID42531289
PMCPMC13422847

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

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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.