Virtual rehabilitation effectiveness in the body balance and motor skills of individuals with neuromotor deficit: a systematic review

Abstract

The physical capabilities are reduced in individuals with neuromotor damage. The balanceand motor skills are affected by diseases in the nervous system. Virtual reality (VR) has beenused to balance recovery and motor function these individuals, but its effectiveness is notfully known. The aim of this study was to identify and analyze studies that investigated theeffectiveness of virtual technology in the rehabilitation of the body balance and motorskills of individuals with neuromotor deficits. We included clinical trials and / or randomizedcontrolled trials published in English and Portuguese between 2001 and 2011, wich usedwith VR exercises as therapy for individuals of both genders, aged 45 years or more withneurological disorders. The following databases were consulted: Medline, BVS, SciELO andPEDro. Studies found in the references were also considered for further reviews. The PEDroscale was used to evaluate the scientific quality of articles. Studies with a minimum of 6 pointson this scale were included and analyzed, totalling of seven studies. The mean effect size forthe virtual rehabilitation body balance (0.50 ± 0.35) and motor skills (0.52 ± 0.34) were betterto other interventions (0.17 ± 0.16 and 0.25 ± 0.22 respectively). VR proved to be effectivein the rehabilitation of the body balance and motor skills of individuals with neuromotordeficits although the amount of evidence is still limited. Despite the positive effect shownthe method should still be used with care and also studied in subjects with other conditions.