Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41977853›Full record

SynthesisSensors (Basel, Switzerland)2026

The Effectiveness of Virtual Reality-Based Interventions in Patients with Ataxic Conditions: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis.

Marina Piñar-Lara, Ana González-Carmona, Esteban Obrero-Gaitán, Irene Cortés-Perez

Abstract readSystematic ReviewMeta-Analysis
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Sensors (Basel, Switzerland), 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–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

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

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

4 authors.

Marina Piñar-LaraDepartment of Health Sciences, University of Jaén, Campus Las Lagunillas s/n, 23071 Jaén, Spain.ORCID 0009-0006-0242-7659
Ana González-CarmonaDepartment of Health Sciences, University of Jaén, Campus Las Lagunillas s/n, 23071 Jaén, Spain.
Esteban Obrero-GaitánDepartment of Health Sciences, University of Jaén, Campus Las Lagunillas s/n, 23071 Jaén, Spain.ORCID 0000-0002-8430-5500
Irene Cortés-PerezDepartment of Health Sciences, University of Jaén, Campus Las Lagunillas s/n, 23071 Jaén, Spain.ORCID 0000-0002-1876-1399

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundAtaxic symptoms are characterized by causing motor, balance and coordination disorders. Virtual reality-based interventions (VRBIs) including video games and exergames can improve ataxic symptoms. The aim of this systematic review with meta-analysis was to assess the effectiveness of VRBI on severity of ataxia, postural balance, mobility and manual dexterity in patients with ataxia.

methodsAccording to the PRISMA guidelines, we searched PubMed Medline, SCOPUS, WOS, CINAHL, PEDro and other sources for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that assessed the effectiveness of VRBI, compared to others, on the severity of ataxia, balance, mobility and manual dexterity in patients with ataxia. The pooled effect was calculated using Cohen's standardized mean difference (SMD) and a 95% confidence interval (95% CI).

resultsWith data from seven RCTs, providing data from 171 patients with ataxia, our meta-analysis elucidated that VRBI is effective in reducing the severity of ataxia (SMD = -0.43; 95% CI -0.84 to -0.03;

conclusionsOur findings suggest that VRBI could be a promising and effective therapeutic approach in reducing ataxia disability and increasing balance and manual dexterity in ataxic patients.

Indexed as

AtaxiaVirtual RealityHumansPostural BalanceRandomized Controlled Trials as TopicVideo Gamesataxiadisabilitymanual skillsmeta-analysispostural balancevirtual realityvirtual reality exposure therapy

Identifiers

PMID41977853
PMCPMC13074264

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
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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.