Virtual Reality in the Rehabilitation of Neurological Patients: An Integrative Review

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.14295/idonline.v19i79.4299

Keywords:

Virtual Reality, Physiotherapy, Rehabilitation, Neurological Patients

Abstract

Virtual Reality is a technological innovation that provides an interactive and immersive experience, being used in various areas, including physiotherapy, assisting

traditional treatment methods and making rehabilitation more attractive and motivating. This immersive environment contributes to functional and motor recovery, promoting independence for the individual, as its use in the initial phase of treatment stimulates neuroplasticity. In this sense, this work aimed to conduct an integrative literature review, based on the selection and critical analysis of scientific publications that investigate the use of virtual reality in the context of rehabilitation of neurological patients. For the composition of the research corpus, eleven studies were selected, identified in the databases. Thus, it is believed that the study will contribute to improving knowledge about the use of virtual reality in the practice of physiotherapy rehabilitation, providing greater effectiveness in treatment and providing a better quality of life for patients.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Author Biographies

E’lora Silva Brandão Couto Dias, Faculdade Independente do Nordeste (FAINOR). Vitória da Conquista-BA, Brasil.

Acadêmica do Curso de Fisioterapia da Faculdade Independente do Nordeste (FAINOR). Vitória da Conquista-BA, Brasil.

Ádila Meira Brito, Faculdade Independente do Nordeste (FAINOR). Vitória da Conquista-BA, Brasil.

Acadêmica do Curso de Fisioterapia da Faculdade Independente do Nordeste (FAINOR). Vitória da Conquista-BA, Brasil.

Carolina Vitória de Jesus Lima, Faculdade Independente do Nordeste (FAINOR). Vitória da Conquista-BA, Brasil.

Acadêmica do Curso de Fisioterapia da Faculdade Independente do Nordeste (FAINOR). Vitória da Conquista-BA, Brasil.

Hisadora Antunes Santos, Faculdade Independente do Nordeste (FAINOR). Vitória da Conquista-BA, Brasil.

Acadêmica do Curso de Fisioterapia da Faculdade Independente do Nordeste (FAINOR). Vitória da Conquista-BA, Brasil.

Laíse Costa Oliveira, Faculdade Independente do Nordeste (FAINOR). Vitória da Conquista-BA, Brasil.

Fisioterapeuta. Especialista em Fisioterapia Neurofuncional. Especialista em Fisioterapia Neurofuncional na Criança e no Adolescente. Especialista em Fisioterapia em Unidade de Terapia Intensiva. Docente do curso de Fisioterapia da Faculdade Independente do Nordeste (FAINOR). Vitória da Conquista-BA, Brasil.

References

ABOU, Libak; PETERS, Joseph; FREIRE, Bruno; SOSNOFF, Jacob J. Fear of falling and common symptoms of multiple sclerosis: Physical function, cognition, fatigue, depression, and sleep – A systematic review. Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders, v. 82, n. 105506, 2024. Disponível em: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38422635/. Acesso em: 2 nov. 2025.

AGUILERA-RUBIO, A.; ALGUACIL-DIEGO, I.M.; MALLO-LÓPEZ, Ana; JARDÓN HUETE, A.; OÑA, E. D.; CUESTA-GÓMEZ, A. Use of low-cost virtual reality in the treatment of the upper extremity in chronic stroke: a randomized clinical trial. Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation, [S. l.], v. 21, n. 12, 2024. Disponível em: https://jneuroengrehab.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12984-024-01303-2. Acesso em: 20 out. 2025.

BRANDÍN-DE LA CRUZ, N.; SECORRO, N.; CALVO, S.; BENYOUCEF, E.; HERRERO, P.; BELLOSTA-LÓPEZ, P. Immersive virtual reality and antigravity treadmill training for gait rehabilitation in Parkinson's disease: a pilot and feasibility study. Revista de Neurología, v. .71, n. 12, p. 447-454, 16 dez. 2020. Disponível em: https://www.imrpress.com/journal/RN/71/12/10.33588/rn.7112.2020352. Acesso em: 20 mai. 2025.

CAMPOS, A.C.E., TREUHERZ, A., MURASAKI, R.T., GONZALEZ, D., MÚJICA, O.J. New Health Sciences Descriptors to classify and retrieve information on equity. Rev Panam Public Health. 2021;45:e78. Disponível em: https://iris.paho.org/handle/10665.2/54415. Acesso em: 21 mai. 2025.

CHO, C.; HWANG, W.; HWANG, S.; CHUNG, Y. Treadmill Training with Virtual Reality Improves Gait, Balance, and Muscle Strength in Children with Cerebral Palsy. Tohoku Journal of Experimental Medicine, v. 238, n. 3, p. 213-218, 2016. Disponível em: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26947315/. Acesso em: 20 set. 2025.

CIKAJLO, I.; POTISK, K. Advantages of using 3D virtual reality based training in persons with Parkinson’s disease: a parallel study. Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation, v. 16, n. 119, 2019. Disponível em: https://jneuroengrehab.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12984-019-0601-1. Acesso em: 10 out. 2025.

CORTÉS-PÉREZ, Irene; OSUNA-PÉREZ, María Catalina; MONTORO-CÁRDENAS, Desirée; LOMAS-VEGA, Rafael; OBRERO-GAITÁN, Esteban; NIETO-ESCÁMEZ, Francisco Antonio. Virtual reality-based therapy improves balance and reduces fear of falling in patients with multiple sclerosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Healthcare (Basel), v. 11, n. 7, p. 1032, 2023. Disponível em: https://jneuroengrehab.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12984-023-01174-z. Acesso em: 3 nov. 2025.

CUESTA-GÓMEZ, A.; SÁNCHEZ-HERRERA BAEZA, P.; DE-PEDRO-CUESTA, J.; OÑA-SIMARRO, B.; MARTÍNEZ CULEBRAS, M. D.; BALAGUER-BERNAL, A.; GÁLVEZ, G.; HORTIGÜELA-ARIZA, A.; CANO-DE-LA-CUERDA, R.. Effects of virtual reality associated with serious games for upper limb rehabilitation in patients with multiple sclerosis: randomized controlled trial. Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation, v. 17, n. 90, 2020. Disponível em: https://jneuroengrehab.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12984-020-00718-x. Acesso em: 29 set. 2025.

DE KEERSMAECKER, E.; BECKWÉE, D.; DENISSEN, S.; NAGELS, G.; SWINNEN, E. Virtual reality for multiple sclerosis rehabilitation [Realidade virtual para reabilitação de esclerose múltipla]. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2021. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD013834. Disponível em: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/348367814_Virtual_reality_for_multiple_sclerosis_rehabilitation. Acesso em: 25 mar. 2025.

EL-KAFY, E. M. A. The Effect of Virtual Reality-Based Therapy on Improving Upper Limb Functions in Individuals With Stroke: A Randomized Control Trial. Frontiers in Aginf Neuroscience, v. 13, 2021. Disponível em: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/agingneuroscience/articles/10.3389/fnagi.2021.731343/full. Acesso em: 6 mai. 2025.

EMIG, M.; GEORGE, T.; ZHANG, J. K.; SOUDAGAR TURKEY, M. O papel do exercício físico na doença de Parkinson. Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry and Neurology, v. 34, n. 4, p. 321 330, jul. 2021. Disponível em: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34219524/. Acesso em: 1 nov. 2025.

FARIA, A. L.; ANDRADE, A. M.; SOARES, L.; I BADIA, S. B. Benefits of virtual reality-based cognitive rehabilitation through simulated activities of daily living: a randomized controlled trial with stroke patients. Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation, v. 13, n. 96, p. 14-12, 2016. DOI: 10.1186/s12984-016-0204-z. Disponível em: https://jneuroengrehab.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12984-016-0204-z. Acesso em: 21 set. 2025.

FEITOSA, J. A.; CASSEB, R. F.; CAMARGO, A.; BRANDÃO, A. F.; LI, M. L.; CASTELLANO, G. Graph analysis of cortical reorganization after virtual reality-based rehabilitation following stroke: a pilot randomized study. Frontiers in Neurology, v. 14, p. 1241639, 2023. Disponível em: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/neurology/articles/10.3389/fneur.2023.1241639/full. Acesso em: 28 out. 2025.

GHAI, Shashank; GHAI, Ishan. Virtual reality enhances gait in cerebral palsy: a training dose-response meta-analysis. Frontiers in Neurology, v. 10, 2019. Disponível em: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fneur.2019.00236/full. Acesso em: 3 nov. 2025.

HAN, S.-H.; JANG, H. J.; LEE, J. W.; CHEONG, J. W.; KIM, Y. D.; NAM, H. S.; KIM, D. Y. Efeito do treinamento de marcha em esteira baseado em realidade virtual na mobilidade funcional e no equilíbrio em pacientes com AVC crônico: um ensaio clínico randomizado controlado. Frontiers in Neurology, Seção Acidente Vascular Cerebral, v. 16, 20 jul. 2025. Disponível em: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/neurology/articles/10.3389/fneur.2025.1603233/full. Acesso em: 27 out. 2025.

HUANG, Q.; JIANG, X.; JIN, Y.; WU, B.; VIGOTSKY, A. D.; FAN, L.; GU, P.; TU, W.; HUANG, L.; JIANG, S. Immersive virtual reality-based rehabilitation for subacute stroke: a randomized controlled trial. Journal of Neurology, [S.l.], v. 271, p. 1256–1266, 2024. Disponível em: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00415-023-12060-y. Acesso em: 21 set. 2025.

KALRON, A.; FONKATZ, I.; FRID, L.; BARANSI, H.; ACHIRON, A. The effect of balance training on postural control in people with multiple sclerosis using the CAREN virtual reality system: a pilot randomized controlled trial. Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation, v. 13, n. 13, 2016. Disponível em: https://jneuroengrehab.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12984-016-0124-y. Acesso em: 23 set. 2025.

KASHIF, M.; ANSARI, A.; DARAIN, H.; EJAZ, M.; SAEED, W.; FATIMA, F. Combined effects of virtual reality and proprioceptive training on balance and gait among patients with chronic stroke: a randomized controlled trial. Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association, Karachi, v. 72, n. 6, p. 1079–1083, 2022. Disponível em: https://bmcgeriatr.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12877-022-03035-1. Acesso em: 21 set. 2025.

KAYABINAR, B.; ALEMDAROĞLU-GÜRBÜZ, İ.; YILMAZ, Ö. The effects of virtual reality augmented robot-assisted gait training on motor and cognitive functions in patients with multiple sclerosis: a randomized controlled trial. Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders, [S.l.], v. 49, p. 102––105, 2021. Disponível em: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33541040/. Acesso em: 25 set. 2025.

LIU, Minhui; HOU, Tianxue; LI, Yuxiao; SOL, Xiaocao; SZANTON, Sarah L.; CLEMSON, Lindy; DAVIDSON, Patrícia M. Fear of falling is as important as multiple previous falls in terms of limiting daily activities: a longitudinal study. BMC Geriatrics, v. 21, n. 350, 2021. Disponível em: https://bmcgeriatr.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12877-021-02305-8. Acesso em: 4 nov. 2025.

LUVIZUTTO, G. J.; DE SOUZA, L. A. P. S. de. Reabilitação Neurofuncional: Teoria e Prática. Rio de Janeiro: Thieme Revinter Publicações Ltda, 2022.

MACHADO, Leticia; FRANCO, Mariane Augusta Machado; MENDES, Juliana Ollé; ESTEVES, Roberto Zonato. Desenvolvimento do raciocínio clínico durante a graduação em enfermagem. Revista Educação e Ciências Humanas, v. 6, n. 4, 2024. Disponível em: https://periodicos.newsciencepubl.com/arace/article/view/2556. Acesso em: 23 out. 2025.

MESA-BURBANO, Angie Estefania; FERNÁNDEZ-POLO, María Alejandra; HURTADO-SÁNCHEZ, John Steven; BETANCUR-BEDOYA, Silvia Patricia; QUIGUANAS-LÓPEZ, Diana Maritza; ORDOÑEZ-MORA, Leidy Tatiana. Effects of virtual reality use on children with cerebral palsy and its applications in health: a systematic review. Healthcare, v. 13, n. 20, p. 2571, 2025. Disponível em: https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9032/13/20/2571. Acesso em: 4 nov. 2025.

MONTORO-CÁRDENAS, D.; CORTÉS-PÉREZ, I.; ZAGALAZ-ANULA, N.; OSUNA-PÉREZ, M. C.; OBRERO-GAITÁN, E.; LOMAS-VEGA, R. Nintendo Wii Balance Board therapy for postural control in children with cerebral palsy: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology, Oxford, v. 63, n. 11, p. 1283-1297, nov. 2021. Disponível em: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/dmcn.14947. Acesso em: 22 out. 2025.

MOUHAMED, H. A.; ABO-ZAID, N. A.; KHALIFA, H. A.; ALI, M. E.; ELSERTY, N. S.; BEHIRY, M. A.; HENEIDY, W. E. Efficacy of virtual reality on balance impairment in ataxic cerebral palsy children: randomized controlled trial. European Journal of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, [S.l.], v. 60, n. 5, 2024. Disponível em: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39441113/. Acesso em: 22 out. 2025.

PELÁEZ-VÉLEZ, F. J.. Use of Virtual Reality and Videogames in the Physiotherapy Treatment of Stroke Patients: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial. International Journal of Enviromental Research and Public Health, v. 20, n. 6, março, 2023. Disponível em: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10049060/. Acesso em: 25 mar. 2025.

PELOSIN, Elisa; PONTE, Chiara; PUTZOLU, Martina; LAGRAVINESE, Giovanna; HAUSDORFF, Jeffrey M.; NIEUWBOER, Alice; GINIS, Pieter; ROCHESTER, Lynn; ALCOCK, Lisa; BLOEM, Bastiaan R.; NIEUWHOF, Freek; CEREATTI, Andrea; DELLA CROCE, Ugo; MIRELMAN, Anat; AVANZINO, Laura. Motor–cognitive treadmill training with virtual reality in Parkinson’s disease: the effect of training duration. Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, v. 13, 2021. Disponível em: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnagi.2021.753381/full. Acesso em: 1 nov. 2025.

SILVA, D. P.; BOUÇA-MACHADO, R.; PONA-FERREIRA, F.; LOBO, T.; CACHO, R.; ANKER, R.; KRAKAUER, J. W.; FERREIRA, J. J. Combining immersive exergaming with physiotherapy in a specialized intensive Parkinson’s disease rehabilitation program: a randomized controlled trial. Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation, [S.l.], v. 22, n. 131, 2025. Disponível em: https://jneuroengrehab.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12984-024-01303-2. Acesso em: 20 set. 2025.

SILVA, R. R.; IWABE-MARCHESE, C. Uso da realidade virtual na reabilitação motora de uma criança com Paralisia Cerebral Atáxica: estudo de caso. Revista Fisioterapia e Pesquisa, São Paulo, v. 22, n. 1, p. 97–102, 2015. Disponível em: https://www.scielo.br/j/fp/a/8v6r5Y7c9L6r5Y7c9L6r5Y7/?lang=pt. Acesso em: 23 out. 2025.

TARAKCI, D.; ÖZDİNÇLER, A. R.; TARAKCI, E.; TUTUNÇUOĞLU, F.; ÖZMEN, M. Wii-based balance therapy to improve balance function of children with cerebral palsy: a pilot study. Journal of Physical Therapy Science (J Phys Ther Sci.), v. 25, n. 9, p. 1123–1127, set. 2013. Disponível em: https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/jpts/25/9/25_jpts-2013-111/_article. Acesso em: 22 out. 2025.

TIERI, G.; MORONE, G.; PAOLUCCI, S.; IOSA, M. Virtual reality in cognitive and motor rehabilitation: facts, fiction and fallacies. Expert Review of Medical Devices, v. 15, n. 2, p. 107-117, 2018. Disponível em: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/17434440.2018.1425613. Aceso em: 27 out. 2025.

VAN DEN HOOGEN, Wouter; FEYS, Peter; LAMERS, Ilse; CONINX, Karin; NOTELAERS, Sofie; KERKHofs, Lore; IJSSELSTEIJN, Wijnand. Visualizing the third dimension in virtual training environments for neurologically impaired persons: beneficial or disruptive? Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation, v. 9, n. 73, 2012. Disponível em: https://jneuroengrehab.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1743-0003-9-73. Acesso em: 6 nov. 2025.

WHITTEMORE, R.; KNAFL, K. The integrative review: updated methodology. Journal of Advanced Nursing, v. 52, n. 5, p. 546–553, 2005. Disponível em: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16268861/. Acesso em: 23 mar. 2025.

WU, Q.; YUE, Z.; GE, Y.; MA, D.; YIN, H.; ZHAO, H.; LIU, G.; WANG, J.; DOU, W.; PAN, Y. Brain functional networks study of subacute stroke patients with upper limb dysfunction after comprehensive rehabilitation including BCI training. Frontiers in Neurology, v. 10, p. 1419, 2019. Disponível em: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/neurology/articles/10.3389/fneur.2019.01419/full. Acesso em: 28 out. 2025

Published

2025-12-30

How to Cite

Dias, E. S. B. C., Brito, Ádila M., Lima, C. V. de J., Santos, H. A., & Oliveira, L. C. (2025). Virtual Reality in the Rehabilitation of Neurological Patients: An Integrative Review. ID on Line. Revista De Psicologia, 19(79), 144–163. https://doi.org/10.14295/idonline.v19i79.4299

Issue

Section

Artigo de Revisão