Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40452007›Full record

SynthesisJournal of neuroengineering and rehabilitation2025

Patient-centered insights into virtual reality rehabilitation for stroke: a systematic review and qualitative meta-synthesis.

Kun Ding, Yan Ma, Lingling Zhang, Yufang Gu, Huixuan Pan, Zhi-E Gu, Hengzhu Zhang

Abstract readSystematic Review
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitation, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 5 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
5citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

5 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.

  1. Pooled it
  2. Trial
  3. Article
  4. Article
  5. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Kun Ding *School of Nursing and Public Health, Yangzhou University, 136 Jiangyang Middle Road, Yangzhou, 225009, Jiangsu Province, China.
Yan Ma *Department of Operating Room, Northern Jiangsu People's Hospital, 98 Nantong West Road, Yangzhou, 225001, Jiangsu Province, China.
Lingling Zhang *Department of Operating Room, Northern Jiangsu People's Hospital, 98 Nantong West Road, Yangzhou, 225001, Jiangsu Province, China.
Yufang GuSchool of Nursing and Public Health, Yangzhou University, 136 Jiangyang Middle Road, Yangzhou, 225009, Jiangsu Province, China.
Huixuan PanSchool of Nursing and Public Health, Yangzhou University, 136 Jiangyang Middle Road, Yangzhou, 225009, Jiangsu Province, China.
Zhi-E GuDepartment of Education and Training, Northern Jiangsu People's Hospital, Yangzhou University, 98 Nantong West Road, Yangzhou, 225001, Jiangsu Province, China. yzguzhie@163.com.
Hengzhu ZhangNorthern Jiangsu People's Hospital Affiliated to Yangzhou University, 98 Nantong West Road, Yangzhou, 225001, Jiangsu Province, China. zhanghengzhu@sina.com.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundVirtual reality rehabilitation (VRR) is an emerging technology that offers new possibilities for stroke recovery. Understanding stroke survivors' experiences and expectations is essential for optimizing its application.

objectiveThis systematic review synthesizes qualitative evidence on stroke survivors' experiences with and participation in VRR to identify benefits, challenges, and areas for improvement.

methodsThis systematic review follows the meta-aggregation method guided by ENTREQ and PRISMA and uses the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) to assess the quality of included studies. We searched eight English and Chinese databases for qualitative or mixed-method studies on stroke survivors' experiences with VRR, published by May 31, 2024. Selected studies were independently reviewed, and data were synthesized into core themes.

resultsFourteen studies were included, involving a total of 133 participants aged 13 to 85 years. The analysis identified four key themes: (1) perceived self-benefits, including physical and psychological improvements; (2) facilitators, such as user engagement and supportive environments; (3) barriers, including technical and personal limitations; and (4) expectations.The quality of the included studies was assessed using the CASP tool, with scores ranging from 26 to 30, indicating moderate to high quality across the studies.

conclusionVRR has the potential to enhance stroke rehabilitation outcomes, but its success depends on addressing individual and systemic challenges. Personalized interventions and multidisciplinary efforts are needed to develop user-friendly, adaptable VRR systems that fully leverage the advantages of this technology.

Indexed as

Patient-Centered CareStroke RehabilitationVirtual RealityAdultAgedHumansMiddle AgedQualitative ResearchExperiencesMeta-synthesisQualitative researchStrokeSystematic reviewVirtual reality

Identifiers

PMID40452007
PMCPMC12128322

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.