Chinese Journal of Rehabilitation Theory and Practice ›› 2025, Vol. 31 ›› Issue (11): 1290-1302.doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1006-9771.2025.11.006

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Comparison of different virtual reality technologies on motor function in Parkinson's disease: a network meta-analysis

ZHANG Hao1, XU Chuanlei2, WEI Zhenxing3, MA Lihong1()   

  1. 1. Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Ji'nan, Shandong 250355, China
    2. Qingdao Municipal Hospital, Qingdao, Shandong 266000, China
    3. Shandong Mental Health Center, Ji'nan, Shandong 250014, China
  • Received:2025-08-14 Revised:2025-09-12 Published:2025-11-25 Online:2025-11-26
  • Contact: MA Lihong E-mail:Lhma2002@163.com
  • Supported by:
    Shandong Higher Medical Education Research Center Project(YJKT202112)

Abstract:

Objective To systematically compare the efficacy of different virtual reality (VR) technologies on motor dysfunction in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) through a network meta-analysis (NMA).

Methods Following the PRISMA-NMA guidelines, randomized controlled trials (RCT) that compared the effect of at least two interventions on motor function in patients with PD were searched in PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, CNKI, Wanfang data and VIP. The interventions included immersive virtual reality (IVR), non-immersive virtual reality (VRT), augmented reality (AR), treatment as usual (TAU) and active control (AC). The primary outcomes included Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale Part Ⅲ (UPDRS-Ⅲ), Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and Timed Up and Go Test (TUGT). A frequentist-based random-effects model was used to conduct NMA, and the surface under the cumulative ranking curve (SUCRA) was used to rank the interventions.

Results A total of 20 RCT involving 890 patients were included. IVR performed best in improving the score of UPDRS-Ⅲ (SUCRA = 97.7%) and was significantly superior to TAU (SMD = -0.82, 95%CI -1.28 to -0.37). IVR showed the highest probability of being the best option for the score of BBS (SUCRA = 85.2%) and was significantly superior to TAU (SMD = 3.94, 95%CI 1.08 to 6.80). IVR performed best in the outcome of TUGT (SUCRA = 95.1%) and was significantly superior to VRT (SMD = 1.06, 95%CI 0.40 to 1.72), AR (SMD = -1.09, 95%CI -1.98 to -0.19) and TAU (SMD = -1.38, 95%CI -1.95 to -0.82). However, subgroup analysis revealed that the efficacy advantage of IVR was mainly confirmed in short-term (four to six weeks) interventions, while the evidence for long-term efficacy was currently very limited.

Conclusion The efficacy of interventions on motor rehabilitation in patients with PD appears to be positively correlated with the technology's level of immersion. As the most immersive technology, IVR is the optimal choice for improving overall motor function, balance and mobility in patients with PD. VRT and AR serve as effective adjuvants and are superior to TAU.

Key words: Parkinson's disease, virtual reality, motor activity, network meta-analysis

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