The promise and challenge of virtual gaming technologies for chronic pain: the case of graded exposure for low back pain – Zina et al. 2015

Conclusion: “…VR gaming can be harnessed to optimize existing chronic pain therapies and examine the potential limitations of traditional VR interfaces in the context of chronic pain… and found moderately positive support for the effectiveness of VR-enhanced rehabilitation for both motor skills and cognitive deficits.”

Is Virtual Reality Effective in Orthopedic Rehabilitation? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis – Mohammaed et al. 2019

Conclusion: “The evidence of VR effectiveness is promising in chronic neck pain and shoulder impingement syndrome. VR and exercises have similar effects in rheumatoid arthritis, knee arthritis, ankle instability, and post-anterior cruciate reconstruction.”

The Effects of Interactive Virtual Reality in Patients with Chronic Musculoskeletal Disorders: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis – Phunsuk et al. 2023

Conclusion: “iVR (interactive virtual reality) is recommended for reducing pain intensity more than no rehabilitation or conventional rehabilitation.”

Virtual reality as an analgesic for acute and chronic pain in adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis – Brian et al. 2019

Conclusion: “VR is an effective treatment for reducing acute pain. There is some research that suggests VR can reduce chronic pain during the intervention”

Virtual reality in pediatrics, effects on pain and anxiety: A systematic review and meta-analysis update – Floris et al. 2022

Conclusion: ” The current updated systematic review and meta-analysis indicates that virtual reality is a useful tool to reduce pain and anxiety in pediatric patients “

Virtual Reality for Management of Pain in Hospitalized Patients: Results of a Controlled Trial – Vartan et al. – 2017

Conclusion: “Use of VR in hospitalized patients significantly reduces pain versus a control distraction condition. These results indicate that VR is an effective and safe adjunctive therapy for pain management in the acute inpatient setting”

Virtual reality pain control during burn wound debridement of combat-related burn injuries using robot-like arm mounted VR goggles – Christopher et al. 2011

Conclusion: “immersive VR reduced pain of patients with combat-related burn injuries during severe burn wound debridement.”

Virtual reality and pain management: current trends and future directions – Angela et al. 2011

Conclusion: “In clinical settings and experimental studies, participants immersed in VR experience reduced levels of pain, general distress/unpleasantness and report a desire to use VR again…”

Effectiveness of virtual reality-based exercise therapy in rehabilitation: A scoping review  – Afsoon et al. 2021

Conclusion: “…VR intervention had a positive impact on different rehabilitation objectives, especially pain management, and improved functional ability, muscular strength, range of motion, and quality of life.”

Extended reality in musculoskeletal rehabilitation and injury prevention – A systematic review – Joke et al. 2022

Conclusion: “Extended Reality was found to provide an added value for both sports injury prevention and rehabilitation outcomes. It particularly provides clinicians with the opportunity to address the underlying biomechanical risk profile for common sports injuries, allowing the athletes to train protective movement patterns more effectively.”

Effect of Virtual Reality on Functional Ankle Instability Rehabilitation: A Systematic Review – Hongyuan et al. 2021

Conclusion: “VR rehabilitation is effective at treating femoroacetabular impingement (FAI).”

Gamification in Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation – Fabio et al. 2022

Conclusion: “Studies involving gamification in musculoskeletal rehabilitation stress the potential of this resource in several aspects of physical fitness, health, and quality of life, also improving motivation and adherence to the exercise treatment.”