Effects of virtual reality intervention on motor function in community-dwelling older adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background:This systematic literature review analyzed the effects of virtual reality (VR) on physical function among community-dwelling older adults.Methods:Relevant studies published in CINAHL, Embase, PEDro, and PubMed databases were reviewed. Study quality was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias 2 (RoB2) tool. A funnel plot supplemented with Egger regression test was used to analyze publication bias. Data analysis was performed using R Studio 4.2.2.Results:We included 20 out of 1240 studies. The overall effect size was 0.212 (95% confidence interval = 0.078-0.347). Control groups of 0.273 and 0.184 were observed for the general/conventional intervention and no intervention groups, respectively. During treatment periods, 0.290 and 0.065 were observed in the 1 to 8 and 9 to 12 week groups. Times per week values were 0.256 and 0.097 for the 2 to 3 and 1 times groups, respectively. RoB results showed that 0.315 and 0.066 indicated studies with low risk/some concern and high risk, respectively, confirming that VR improved the physical functions of older adults.Conclusions:The higher the number of treatments per week, the higher the quality of the included studies, and the higher the effect size. However, longer treatment periods were associated with reduced effect sizes. The results of this review will help to guide the development of effective VR interventions for community-dwelling older adults.