Effect of virtual reality combined with occupational therapy on upper limb motor function in patients with stroke: a meta-analysis
10.3969/j.issn.1006-9771.2026.07.006
- VernacularTitle:虚拟现实技术联合作业治疗对脑卒中患者上肢运动功能康复效果的Meta分析
- Author:
Guangxue ZHOU
1
;
Ning XU
1
;
Bin SHI
1
Author Information
1. College of Rehabilitation Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Ji'nan, Shandong 250355, China
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
stroke;
virtual reality;
occupational therapy;
upper limb motor function;
meta-analysis
- From:
Chinese Journal of Rehabilitation Theory and Practice
2026;32(7):788-796
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
ObjectiveTo evaluate the effect of virtual reality (VR) combined with occupational therapy on upper limb motor function in patients with stroke. MethodsCNKI, VIP, Wanfang data, PubMed, the Cochrane Library and Web of Science were searched for randomized controlled trials investigating the effect of VR combined with occupational therapy on upper limb motor function in patients with stroke. The search covered the period from database inception to April, 2026. The methodological quality of the included studies was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool version 5.1.0 and PEDro scale. Meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.4. ResultsA total of 15 studies involving 636 participants were included. The PEDro scores ranged from seven to ten. VR combined with occupational therapy significantly improved scores of Fugl-Meyer Assessment-Upper Extremities (SMD = 0.64, 95%CI 0.28 to 1.01, P < 0.001) and the Action Research Arm Test (SMD = 1.22, 95%CI 0.88 to 1.56, P < 0.001)， while no significant differences were found in Barthel Index/Modified Barthel Index scores (SMD = 0.50, 95%CI -0.07 to 1.07, P = 0.087), Jebsen-Taylor Hand Function Test scores (SMD = 0.32, 95%CI -0.29 to 0.93, P = 0.308), or Box and Block Test scores (SMD = 0.50, 95%CI -0.43 to 1.43, P = 0.289). ConclusionVR combined with occupational therapy may improve the upper limb motor function in patients with stroke; however, its effects on activities of daily living, hand-movement speed, and grasping and object-transfer ability remain uncertain.
