Immersive virtual reality-based interventions for chronic neck pain management: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Riassunto dello studio

9 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving 430 patients with chronic neck pain (CNP) were included in this systematic review and meta-analysis comparing immersive virtual reality (IVR) interventions with conventional physiotherapy or usual care. Pooled outcomes included pain intensity, functional disability, cervical range of motion (ROM) during flexion and extension, and joint position sense (JPS). IVR significantly reduced pain and disability while improving cervical flexion and extension ROM and JPS during flexion. Benefits were generally greater when IVR was combined with physiotherapy, although improvements in JPS during extension were not statistically significant. These findings suggested that IVR may be an effective adjunct to conventional rehabilitation for CNP, although the low certainty of evidence warranted cautious interpretation.