A comparative analysis of the effects of proprioception and virtual reality exercises on postural balance in athletes with anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Abstract Background One factor that contributes to balance impairment after ACL reconstruction is balance. Balance impairment leads to decreased performance in athletes, limitations in daily activities, and increases the risk of re-injury. Despite the importance of addressing this issue, previous st...
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BMC
2025-06-01
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| Series: | BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12891-025-08823-5 |
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| author | Ali Shamsi Majelan Omid Shahani Mohammad Amin Safaei Ghaleh Zo Mahla Arman Far |
| author_facet | Ali Shamsi Majelan Omid Shahani Mohammad Amin Safaei Ghaleh Zo Mahla Arman Far |
| author_sort | Ali Shamsi Majelan |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background One factor that contributes to balance impairment after ACL reconstruction is balance. Balance impairment leads to decreased performance in athletes, limitations in daily activities, and increases the risk of re-injury. Despite the importance of addressing this issue, previous studies do not appear to have directly compared virtual reality (VR) training with proprioception training. This systematic review compares the effects of proprioception exercise and VR on postural balance in individuals with anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACL-R). Methods A search was conducted in four databases: PubMed, Science Direct, Web of Science (WOS), and Scopus to find available sources from the beginning to the end of February 2025. Studies that assessed postural balance were selected. Quality assessment, risk of bias, and Quality assessment of the body of evidence of the studies were performed using the PEDro scale, A revised tool to assess risk of bias (RoB 2), and GRADE, respectively, by two authors, and any discrepancies were reported by a third person and consensus was reached by three people. Meta-analysis was performed using the Comprehensive Meta-Analysis V.3.0 software. Results Nine studies, with a total of 333 participants, Including 279 men and 54 women, were included in the present study. The meta-analysis conducted on the proprioception exercises section, which were evaluated dynamic balance in group 1 (Biodex Balance System), has Hedges` g an effect size (95% confidence intervals) of 0.697 (0.429 to 0.969), and in group 2 (Kinesthetic Ability Trainer) has 2.465 (-1.534 to 6.463) and static balance has 0.302 (0.037 to 0.568). VR exercise in dynamic balance has 0.390 (0.077 to 0.704). The quality of evidence for studies on VR exercises was high, proprioception exercises were low in static balance, and dynamic balance was moderate in Group 1 and very low in Group 2. Conclusion Research shows that both proprioception and VR exercises can help improve postural balance. Interestingly, when comparing the two under similar conditions, VR exercises may be more effective. The engaging nature of VR exercises can be a real advantage in helping people stick with the exercise and achieve better results. While these findings are promising, more high-quality research is needed. Future studies using rigorous methods will help us confirm these benefits and better understand how VR can be used to improve postural balance. Clinical trial number Not applicable. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-e50ef7d2430d41ac96df9b65d5ec604d |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 1471-2474 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
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| series | BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders |
| spelling | doaj-art-e50ef7d2430d41ac96df9b65d5ec604d2025-08-20T02:30:47ZengBMCBMC Musculoskeletal Disorders1471-24742025-06-0126111710.1186/s12891-025-08823-5A comparative analysis of the effects of proprioception and virtual reality exercises on postural balance in athletes with anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: a systematic review and meta-analysisAli Shamsi Majelan0Omid Shahani1Mohammad Amin Safaei Ghaleh Zo2Mahla Arman Far3Faculty of Physical Education and Sports Sciences, Department of Sport Injury and Corrective Exercise, University of GuilanFaculty of Physical Education and Sports Sciences, Department of Sport Injury and Corrective Exercise, University of GuilanFaculty of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Department of Sport Biomechanics, Bu Ali Sina UniversityFaculty of Physical Education and Sports Sciences, Department of Sport Injury and Corrective Exercise, University of GuilanAbstract Background One factor that contributes to balance impairment after ACL reconstruction is balance. Balance impairment leads to decreased performance in athletes, limitations in daily activities, and increases the risk of re-injury. Despite the importance of addressing this issue, previous studies do not appear to have directly compared virtual reality (VR) training with proprioception training. This systematic review compares the effects of proprioception exercise and VR on postural balance in individuals with anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACL-R). Methods A search was conducted in four databases: PubMed, Science Direct, Web of Science (WOS), and Scopus to find available sources from the beginning to the end of February 2025. Studies that assessed postural balance were selected. Quality assessment, risk of bias, and Quality assessment of the body of evidence of the studies were performed using the PEDro scale, A revised tool to assess risk of bias (RoB 2), and GRADE, respectively, by two authors, and any discrepancies were reported by a third person and consensus was reached by three people. Meta-analysis was performed using the Comprehensive Meta-Analysis V.3.0 software. Results Nine studies, with a total of 333 participants, Including 279 men and 54 women, were included in the present study. The meta-analysis conducted on the proprioception exercises section, which were evaluated dynamic balance in group 1 (Biodex Balance System), has Hedges` g an effect size (95% confidence intervals) of 0.697 (0.429 to 0.969), and in group 2 (Kinesthetic Ability Trainer) has 2.465 (-1.534 to 6.463) and static balance has 0.302 (0.037 to 0.568). VR exercise in dynamic balance has 0.390 (0.077 to 0.704). The quality of evidence for studies on VR exercises was high, proprioception exercises were low in static balance, and dynamic balance was moderate in Group 1 and very low in Group 2. Conclusion Research shows that both proprioception and VR exercises can help improve postural balance. Interestingly, when comparing the two under similar conditions, VR exercises may be more effective. The engaging nature of VR exercises can be a real advantage in helping people stick with the exercise and achieve better results. While these findings are promising, more high-quality research is needed. Future studies using rigorous methods will help us confirm these benefits and better understand how VR can be used to improve postural balance. Clinical trial number Not applicable.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12891-025-08823-5Anterior cruciate ligament reconstructionBalanceStabilityVirtual realityProprioception |
| spellingShingle | Ali Shamsi Majelan Omid Shahani Mohammad Amin Safaei Ghaleh Zo Mahla Arman Far A comparative analysis of the effects of proprioception and virtual reality exercises on postural balance in athletes with anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: a systematic review and meta-analysis BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction Balance Stability Virtual reality Proprioception |
| title | A comparative analysis of the effects of proprioception and virtual reality exercises on postural balance in athletes with anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: a systematic review and meta-analysis |
| title_full | A comparative analysis of the effects of proprioception and virtual reality exercises on postural balance in athletes with anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: a systematic review and meta-analysis |
| title_fullStr | A comparative analysis of the effects of proprioception and virtual reality exercises on postural balance in athletes with anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: a systematic review and meta-analysis |
| title_full_unstemmed | A comparative analysis of the effects of proprioception and virtual reality exercises on postural balance in athletes with anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: a systematic review and meta-analysis |
| title_short | A comparative analysis of the effects of proprioception and virtual reality exercises on postural balance in athletes with anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: a systematic review and meta-analysis |
| title_sort | comparative analysis of the effects of proprioception and virtual reality exercises on postural balance in athletes with anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction a systematic review and meta analysis |
| topic | Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction Balance Stability Virtual reality Proprioception |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12891-025-08823-5 |
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