The effectiveness of virtual reality in people with osteoporosis or osteopenia: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
BackgroundOsteoporosis is a global bone disease, and drug therapy carries the risk of side effects, requiring exploration of safe and effective alternative therapies. Virtual reality (VR) has shown potential in rehabilitation medicine, but its efficacy in the management of osteoporosis and osteopeni...
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-07-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Physiology |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphys.2025.1612882/full |
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| author | Shunxia He Shiqiu Dong Shiqiu Dong Xiaoguang Lin Zhijie Wang Yuzi Diao Xiao Gao Xiao Gao |
| author_facet | Shunxia He Shiqiu Dong Shiqiu Dong Xiaoguang Lin Zhijie Wang Yuzi Diao Xiao Gao Xiao Gao |
| author_sort | Shunxia He |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | BackgroundOsteoporosis is a global bone disease, and drug therapy carries the risk of side effects, requiring exploration of safe and effective alternative therapies. Virtual reality (VR) has shown potential in rehabilitation medicine, but its efficacy in the management of osteoporosis and osteopenia has not been systematically evaluated.MethodUsing PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, and Web of Science, we conducted a comprehensive database search to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) investigating the effects of VR on osteoporosis and bone loss. Trials published up to 30 March 2025 met our predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. We extracted data, reviewed the literature. We assessed the methodological quality of the included trials and the certainty of the pooled evidence. Meta-analyses were performed using StataSE version 16.ResultsOur meta-analysis included 216 patients from 5 RCTs. All cases included in our study adopted the non-immersive VR intervention approach. Femoral neck bone mineral density (BMD) (standardized mean difference [SMD] = 0.77, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.35–1.19, P < 0.0001, I2 = 0%), balance (SMD = 2.58, 95% CI = 1.10–4.05, P = 0.001, I2 = 91.2%) and mobility (SMD = 1.63, 95% CI = 0.14–3.13, P = 0.032, I2 = 93.7%) were improved compared to the control group. However, lumbar BMD (SMD = 0.39, 95% CI: −0.02, 0.80, P = 0.062, I2 = 0%) and quality of life (QOL) (SMD = 2.50, 95% CI: −2.15, 7.16, P = 0.292, I2 = 97.4%) were not significantly improved compared to the control group. None of the included studies reported adverse events or safety data.ConclusionThis systematic evaluation provides valuable evidence for the management of osteoporosis and osteopenia through VR. However, given the overall low and very low level of evidence, the results need to be treated with caution. In the future, VR may be a potential treatment for osteoporosis and osteopenia.Systematic Review Registrationhttps://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/view/CRD420251023178, PROSPERO, identifier CRD420251023178. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-881e9d54f7a84aeca17dd0d2d2059524 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1664-042X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Physiology |
| spelling | doaj-art-881e9d54f7a84aeca17dd0d2d20595242025-08-20T03:28:41ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Physiology1664-042X2025-07-011610.3389/fphys.2025.16128821612882The effectiveness of virtual reality in people with osteoporosis or osteopenia: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trialsShunxia He0Shiqiu Dong1Shiqiu Dong2Xiaoguang Lin3Zhijie Wang4Yuzi Diao5Xiao Gao6Xiao Gao7Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin, ChinaHeilongjiang Nursing College, Harbin, ChinaGraduate School, Gachon University, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of KoreaHeilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin, ChinaShanxi Province Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Taiyuan, ChinaHeilongjiang Vocational College of Winter Sports, Harbin, ChinaHeilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin, ChinaThe Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin, ChinaBackgroundOsteoporosis is a global bone disease, and drug therapy carries the risk of side effects, requiring exploration of safe and effective alternative therapies. Virtual reality (VR) has shown potential in rehabilitation medicine, but its efficacy in the management of osteoporosis and osteopenia has not been systematically evaluated.MethodUsing PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, and Web of Science, we conducted a comprehensive database search to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) investigating the effects of VR on osteoporosis and bone loss. Trials published up to 30 March 2025 met our predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. We extracted data, reviewed the literature. We assessed the methodological quality of the included trials and the certainty of the pooled evidence. Meta-analyses were performed using StataSE version 16.ResultsOur meta-analysis included 216 patients from 5 RCTs. All cases included in our study adopted the non-immersive VR intervention approach. Femoral neck bone mineral density (BMD) (standardized mean difference [SMD] = 0.77, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.35–1.19, P < 0.0001, I2 = 0%), balance (SMD = 2.58, 95% CI = 1.10–4.05, P = 0.001, I2 = 91.2%) and mobility (SMD = 1.63, 95% CI = 0.14–3.13, P = 0.032, I2 = 93.7%) were improved compared to the control group. However, lumbar BMD (SMD = 0.39, 95% CI: −0.02, 0.80, P = 0.062, I2 = 0%) and quality of life (QOL) (SMD = 2.50, 95% CI: −2.15, 7.16, P = 0.292, I2 = 97.4%) were not significantly improved compared to the control group. None of the included studies reported adverse events or safety data.ConclusionThis systematic evaluation provides valuable evidence for the management of osteoporosis and osteopenia through VR. However, given the overall low and very low level of evidence, the results need to be treated with caution. In the future, VR may be a potential treatment for osteoporosis and osteopenia.Systematic Review Registrationhttps://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/view/CRD420251023178, PROSPERO, identifier CRD420251023178.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphys.2025.1612882/fullosteopeniavirtual realityexerciseagingosteoporosis |
| spellingShingle | Shunxia He Shiqiu Dong Shiqiu Dong Xiaoguang Lin Zhijie Wang Yuzi Diao Xiao Gao Xiao Gao The effectiveness of virtual reality in people with osteoporosis or osteopenia: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials Frontiers in Physiology osteopenia virtual reality exercise aging osteoporosis |
| title | The effectiveness of virtual reality in people with osteoporosis or osteopenia: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials |
| title_full | The effectiveness of virtual reality in people with osteoporosis or osteopenia: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials |
| title_fullStr | The effectiveness of virtual reality in people with osteoporosis or osteopenia: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials |
| title_full_unstemmed | The effectiveness of virtual reality in people with osteoporosis or osteopenia: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials |
| title_short | The effectiveness of virtual reality in people with osteoporosis or osteopenia: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials |
| title_sort | effectiveness of virtual reality in people with osteoporosis or osteopenia a systematic review and meta analysis of randomized controlled trials |
| topic | osteopenia virtual reality exercise aging osteoporosis |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphys.2025.1612882/full |
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