The Impact of Virtual Reality Training on Sport Injury Rehabilitation – a Literature Review
Introduction and Purpose: Virtual reality (VR) technology is being studied more and more as an effective tool in sports injury rehabilitation. This review addresses current evidence concerning the application of VR in recovery from musculoskeletal and neurological injuries, control of pain, and ps...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń
2025-06-01
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| Series: | Quality in Sport |
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| Online Access: | https://apcz.umk.pl/QS/article/view/60339 |
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| author | Aleksandra Górniak Aleksandra Kubas Michał Widawski Natalia Gizińska Aleksander Sobczyk Paulina Lewandowska Amelia Rusiecka |
| author_facet | Aleksandra Górniak Aleksandra Kubas Michał Widawski Natalia Gizińska Aleksander Sobczyk Paulina Lewandowska Amelia Rusiecka |
| author_sort | Aleksandra Górniak |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Introduction and Purpose:
Virtual reality (VR) technology is being studied more and more as an effective tool in sports injury rehabilitation. This review addresses current evidence concerning the application of VR in recovery from musculoskeletal and neurological injuries, control of pain, and psychological assistance, and potential roles in rehabilitation.
State of Knowledge:
Evidence indicates that rehabilitation with VR enhances patient engagement with immersive and interactive therapy, which can improve motor function, balance, and functional outcomes overall. VR is used in recovery rehabilitation of ligament injuries, orthopedic surgery, stroke, spinal cord injury, and traumatic brain injury. VR also proves effective as a non-pharmacological method of pain control, with a potential reduction in analgesic needs, such as opioids. Importantly, it was also shown that VR improves mental health by decreasing symptoms of anxiety, depression, and posttraumatic stress disorder, thereby convincing the audience about the overall benefits of VR-based rehabilitation.
Methods
The present paper searched the literature on electronic databases, including PubMed and ResearchGate, using the keywords "VR," "virtual reality injury," "virtual reality rehabilitation," "virtual reality pain," "virtual reality psychology," and "virtual reality cognitive function" Articles include randomized controlled trials, meta-analyses, and systematic reviews between 1999 to the present year, preferring the sources that were published from 2020 and onwards.
Conclusions
While VR offers a global, patient-centered approach that complements traditional rehabilitation methods, the scientific research in the field is meager. More studies are clearly warranted to establish VR's long-term effects and full potential in rehabilitation. This review highlights the current shortcomings and future promise of VR-based rehabilitation in sports injury rehabilitation.
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| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-2d2e2f9706b14557b72b4235fb097612 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2450-3118 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Quality in Sport |
| spelling | doaj-art-2d2e2f9706b14557b72b4235fb0976122025-08-20T02:05:25ZengNicolaus Copernicus University in ToruńQuality in Sport2450-31182025-06-014210.12775/QS.2025.42.60339The Impact of Virtual Reality Training on Sport Injury Rehabilitation – a Literature ReviewAleksandra Górniak0https://orcid.org/0009-0006-3331-9597Aleksandra Kubas1https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0535-9832Michał Widawski2https://orcid.org/0009-0003-7141-0314Natalia Gizińska3https://orcid.org/0009-0002-5267-8588Aleksander Sobczyk4https://orcid.org/0009-0008-3907-9357Paulina Lewandowska5https://orcid.org/0009-0001-1415-6730Amelia Rusiecka6https://orcid.org/0009-0006-6541-6754University Clinical Hospital No.2 of Medical University of LodzUniversity Clinical Hospital No.2 of Medical University of LodzUniversity Clinical Hospital No.2 of Medical University of LodzUniversity Clinical Hospital No.2 of Medical University of LodzUniversity Clinical Hospital No.2 of Medical University of LodzThe Medical University of Warsaw Central Teaching Hospital of the Medical University of LodzIntroduction and Purpose: Virtual reality (VR) technology is being studied more and more as an effective tool in sports injury rehabilitation. This review addresses current evidence concerning the application of VR in recovery from musculoskeletal and neurological injuries, control of pain, and psychological assistance, and potential roles in rehabilitation. State of Knowledge: Evidence indicates that rehabilitation with VR enhances patient engagement with immersive and interactive therapy, which can improve motor function, balance, and functional outcomes overall. VR is used in recovery rehabilitation of ligament injuries, orthopedic surgery, stroke, spinal cord injury, and traumatic brain injury. VR also proves effective as a non-pharmacological method of pain control, with a potential reduction in analgesic needs, such as opioids. Importantly, it was also shown that VR improves mental health by decreasing symptoms of anxiety, depression, and posttraumatic stress disorder, thereby convincing the audience about the overall benefits of VR-based rehabilitation. Methods The present paper searched the literature on electronic databases, including PubMed and ResearchGate, using the keywords "VR," "virtual reality injury," "virtual reality rehabilitation," "virtual reality pain," "virtual reality psychology," and "virtual reality cognitive function" Articles include randomized controlled trials, meta-analyses, and systematic reviews between 1999 to the present year, preferring the sources that were published from 2020 and onwards. Conclusions While VR offers a global, patient-centered approach that complements traditional rehabilitation methods, the scientific research in the field is meager. More studies are clearly warranted to establish VR's long-term effects and full potential in rehabilitation. This review highlights the current shortcomings and future promise of VR-based rehabilitation in sports injury rehabilitation. https://apcz.umk.pl/QS/article/view/60339VRvirtual reality injuryvirtual reality rehabilitationvirtual reality painvirtual reality psychologyvirtual reality cognitive function |
| spellingShingle | Aleksandra Górniak Aleksandra Kubas Michał Widawski Natalia Gizińska Aleksander Sobczyk Paulina Lewandowska Amelia Rusiecka The Impact of Virtual Reality Training on Sport Injury Rehabilitation – a Literature Review Quality in Sport VR virtual reality injury virtual reality rehabilitation virtual reality pain virtual reality psychology virtual reality cognitive function |
| title | The Impact of Virtual Reality Training on Sport Injury Rehabilitation – a Literature Review |
| title_full | The Impact of Virtual Reality Training on Sport Injury Rehabilitation – a Literature Review |
| title_fullStr | The Impact of Virtual Reality Training on Sport Injury Rehabilitation – a Literature Review |
| title_full_unstemmed | The Impact of Virtual Reality Training on Sport Injury Rehabilitation – a Literature Review |
| title_short | The Impact of Virtual Reality Training on Sport Injury Rehabilitation – a Literature Review |
| title_sort | impact of virtual reality training on sport injury rehabilitation a literature review |
| topic | VR virtual reality injury virtual reality rehabilitation virtual reality pain virtual reality psychology virtual reality cognitive function |
| url | https://apcz.umk.pl/QS/article/view/60339 |
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