SynthesisFrontiers in physiology2026
Effect of virtual reality technology on balance ability intervention in stroke patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Synthesis in Frontiers in physiology, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
What it found
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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.
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.
Who cites it
0 citing papers in PubMed.
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Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
6 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
Objective: This study is aimed at the assessment of the efficacy of virtual reality (VR) technology in improving balance ability among patients with stroke and analyze the potential moderating effects of participant characteristics, training programs, and other factors on interventions. Methods: An exhaustive search for published papers up to February 2025 was conducted across five electronic databases to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) investigating the effects of VR on balance ability in stroke patients. A systematic review and meta-analysis were performed to synthesize effect sizes using the standardized mean difference (SMD, Hedges'g). Subgroup analyses were conducted to explore sources of heterogeneity. Results: Meta analyses identified four principal findings. (1) BBS: VR significantly improved scores across 14 studies (SMD = 0.55, 95% CI: 0.23-0.88, P < 0.05), with the VR+CT subgroup showing the largest effect (SMD = 0.89). (2) TUG: VR significantly enhanced performance in 17 studies (SMD = -0.29, 95% CI: -0.53 to -0.05, P < 0.05); the VR+CT subgroup was optimal (SMD = -0.66, I Conclusion: VR intervention may improve selected balance-related outcomes in stroke patients, especially when combined with conventional rehabilitation. VR significantly enhances BBS and TUG outcomes, shows a borderline positive trend on 10MWT, but has no significant effect on FRT. With good safety and high compliance, VR is a feasible adjunct for stroke rehabilitation. The evidence certainty is moderate to low; future large-sample, high-quality RCTs are needed to verify long-term efficacy and support clinical application. Systematic review registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/, identifier CRD420251266836.
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