Applications of Head-Mounted Displays for Virtual Reality in Adult Physical Rehabilitation: A Scoping Review

American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 2020 · DOI: https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2020.041442 · Published: September 1, 2020

Assistive Technology Rehabilitation

Simple Explanation

Head-mounted displays for virtual reality (HMD–VR) are being explored as a tool in physical rehabilitation due to their ability to create immersive, safe, and engaging virtual environments for patients. This scoping review examines how HMD–VR has been utilized in adult physical rehabilitation, focusing on its applications within occupational therapy practice. The review found that HMD–VR has been used for both assessment and intervention in patients with various conditions such as stroke, multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injury, and Parkinson’s disease.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

21 experimental studies

Evidence Level

Level V, scoping review

Key Findings

1
HMD–VR is used for upper extremity rehabilitation, vestibular training, and gait and balance rehabilitation.
2
HMD–VR provides simulated environments that closely resemble real-world settings, allowing patients to practice complex skills safely.
3
HMD–VR measurements were more accurate than other measures and could detect more subtle impairments in some assessments.

Research Summary

This scoping review identifies current applications of HMD–VR in adult physical rehabilitation, describes uses that ﬁt within the occupational therapy practice domain, and identify gaps and potential directions to guide future research. The studies identified in this review demonstrate initial support for HMD–VR as a tool for both assessment and intervention in adult physical rehabilitation for a variety of patient populations. A key benefit of HMD–VR was providing simulated environments for assessment or intervention that closely resembled real-world environments.

Practical Implications

Clinical Practice

HMD–VR can be implemented as a relatively inexpensive tool across the lifespan for rehabilitation in adults.

Assessment and Intervention

HMD–VR can be used in assessment and intervention for patients across a variety of diagnoses.

Future Research

Future research should focus on higher quality studies with larger sample sizes and the development of manualized protocols for VR-based rehabilitation.

Study Limitations

1
Level of evidence of most studies was relatively weak
2
Larger studies with better control conditions are needed.
3
Study protocols varied widely in terms of treatment dosage, length of treatment, and methods for incorporating HMD–VR.

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