Virtual reality-based therapy after anterior cruciate ligament injury effectively reduces pain and improves knee function, movement patterns, and dynamic balance: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

Purpose: Virtual reality-based therapy (VRBT) may be an effective physical therapy complement employed in the rehabilitation of patients with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury. This study aims to assess the effectiveness of VRBT in improving pain, knee function, strength, proprioception, flexion range of motion (ROM), and dynamic balance after ACL injury. Methods: We conducted this systematic review with meta-analysis following PRISMA criteria. Since inception to June 2024, we searched in PubMed Medline, WOS, SCOPUS, CINAHL and PEDro without publication date and language restrictions. Randomised controlled trials (RCTs), comprising only patients with ACL injury, that assess the effectiveness of VRBT compared to classical interventions on the outcomes of interest were included. PEDro scale was employed to analyze the methodological quality of the RCTs included. Cohen's standardised mean difference (SMD) and its 95% confidence interval (95% CI) was used to calculate the pooled effect in meta-analyses. Results: Nine RCTs, providing data from 330 participants (26.96 ± 3.11 years, 85% males) were included. The RCTs included showed good methodological quality (PEDro scale = 6.88 points), being, performance and detection biases, the most common biases reported. Meta-analyses showed that VRBT was more effective than classical interventions in reducing pain (SMD = −1.15; 95% CI −1.85 to −0.45; p = 0.001; I2 = 0%), and increasing knee function (SMD = 1.71; 95% CI 0.93 to 2.5; p < 0.001; I2 = 0%), strength (SMD = 0.82; 95% CI 0.4–1.23; p < 0.001; I2 = 0%) and flexion ROM (SMD = 0.7; 95% CI 0.37–1.01; p < 0.001; I2 = 0%). Additionally, VRBT improved postero-medial (SMD = 0.46; 95% CI 0.01–0.9; p = 0.045; I2 = 15.1%) and postero-lateral CoP excursion (SMD = 0.75; 95% CI 0.3–1.21; p = 0.001; I2 = 0%), being effective in improving dynamic balance. Conclusion: VRBT is an effective physical therapy complement to be included in the ACL's rehabilitation programmes due to reduces pain and increases knee function, strength, ROM and dynamic balance after ACL injury. Level of Evidence: Level II.