Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis: The Effect of Virtual Reality Gaming or Exergaming on Overall Recovery of Individuals With Musculoskeletal Injuries Involving the Upper Extremities

The use of exergaming with or without virtual reality tools could be an alternative way of managing individuals with musculoskeletal injuries involving the upper extremities. This review aims to provide an overview on the effect of exergaming compared to other interventions such as conventional exercise therapy in treating these injuries. Randomized controlled trials related to the use of exergaming in individuals with musculoskeletal injuries involving the upper extremities that include outcome measures, such as shoulder range of motion, disability levels, pain level, and grip strength, were collected in ten different electronic databases, repository websites, and gray literature databases. Quality, risk of bias, and results of studies were systematically reviewed and meta-analyzed. A total of 12 studies fulfilling the inclusion criteria were selected. All studies indicated that exergaming, either by itself or with virtual reality tools, can help in improving all outcomes especially range of motion and disability level when compared to the control group. However, more robust randomized controlled trials are needed to further validate its effect on specific conditions, and a well-designed gaming protocol is needed to standardize treatment plans using exergaming.