Effects of Vestibular Rehabilitation with Virtual Reality in Adults with Vestibular Dysfunction: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Abstract

Introduction Virtual reality is a tool used in the rehabilitation of neurodegenerative diseases and vestibular disorders, enabling immersion in a playful and illusory world. Objective To determine the effects of vestibular rehabilitation with virtual reality in adults with vestibular disorders. Data Synthesis Appropriate word combinations were selected and tailored specifically to seven electronic databases. Studies that investigated vestibular rehabilitation with virtual reality in individuals > 18-years-old and diagnosed with vestibular dysfunction were included. The risk of bias and the certainty of the evidence was assessed. A random-effects meta-analysis was performed, with a total of 18 articles included. There was an improvement in the level of confidence in balance scores between baseline and postintervention of 11.22 (95% CI = 8.55-13.88; I 2 = 18%). An improvement in the disabling effects caused by dizziness was also observed, with a difference between means in relation to the two periods of -22.76 (95% CI = -28.70 to -16.82; I 2 = 88%). The certainty of evidence assessment was very low. Conclusion Virtual reality therapy in vestibular disorders has shown efficient results, being a useful, low-cost, and motivating tool in the treatment of these disorders.