Review Effects of Virtual Reality-Based Rehabilitation in the Treatment of Patients with Fibromyalgia Syndrome…, Brea-Gómez B, 2025

voner

Senior Member (Voting Rights)
Abstract
The aim was to analyze the effects of virtual reality-based rehabilitation (VRBR) in patients with fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS). This systematic review and meta-analysis was performed following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. A search was conducted in CINAHL, Medline (via PubMed), Scopus, and Web of Science up to January 2023. Eligibility criteria were defined with Participants, Interventions, Comparisons, Outcomes, and Study design. To assess the methodological quality, the modified Downs and Black scale was used. The risk of bias was assessed through The Cochrane Collaboration's tool. Meta-analysis was performed using RevMan software. Seventeen studies were included in the systematic review and 11 in the meta-analysis. We obtained significant differences in favor of VRBR for FMS impact (standardized mean difference or SMD: -0.49; 95% confidence interval or CI: -0.72 to -0.26), pain intensity (SMD: -0.50; 95% CI: -0.87 to -0.12), fatigue (SMD: -0.55, 95% CI: -0.89 to -0.22), depression (SMD: -0.39; 95% CI: -0.55 to -0.23), anxiety (SMD: -0.36; 95% CI: -0.57 to -0.14), health-related quality of life (SMD: 0.56; 95% CI: 0.29 to 0.83), health perception (mean difference or MD:10.56; 95% CI: 6.23 to 14.88), functional exercise capacity (SMD: 0.60; 95% CI: 0.33 to 0.87), and physical function (MD: 10.90; 95% CI: 7.04 to 14.77)….

…..No significant differences were found for kinesiophobia. VRBR significantly improves FMS symptoms, quality of life, and physical condition. VRBR applied alone or combined with other interventions shows good results. VRBR was superior to treatment as usual. Better results were obtained when specialized VRBR was used. More research is needed to determine how to implement this treatment and to study VRBR effects on follow-up.

https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1...=ori:rid:crossref.org&rfr_dat=cr_pub++0pubmed

Check out the journal!
 
Perhaps a trial with subjects wearing Virtual Reality goggles while doing Tai-Chi, receiving massage, fed chocolate, followed by a hot bath (water-proof goggles).

These are called temporary diversions of attention. Key to withstanding higher unrelieved pain levels.
 
Last edited:
I am staggered that they found seventeen studies on this to include in the systematic review. It seems such a niche and random topic and yet there's almost an industry in churning out studies of virtual reality for fibromyalgia alone.

I guess virtual reality is the next step in supposedly providing medical care at no cost. First, do away with doctors and investigations, replacing them with a nice therapist. Second, do away with the nice therapist, replacing them with a virtual reality headset.
 
Back
Top Bottom