Table 2.
Characteristics of the Studies Included in the Review.
| VR Group | Control Group | Outcomes | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Study | Design | Country | Funding | K | N | Age | F:M | Intervention | N | Age | F:M | Intervention | Outcomes | Test |
| Brichetto, G. et al., 2013 [48] | Pilot RCT | Italy | No | 1 | 18 | 40.7 | 10:8 | 12 sessions of Nintendo® Wii Balance Board® during 4 weeks, 3 sessions per week. Each sessions lasted 60 min | 18 | 43.2 | 12:6 | CT (Static and dynamic exercises in single and double leg stance) | Fatigue | M-FIS |
| Cuesta-Gómez, A. et al., 2020 [54] | RCT | Spain | Yes | 2 | 16 | 49.8 | 9:7 | 20 sessions using serious games with LMC, during 10 weeks, 2 sessions per week of 60 min. Conventional Therapy, for 60 min, in upper extremity was added | 14 | 42.6 | 9:5 | CT (Physiotherapy motor rehabilitation of upper extremity joints using mobilizations, stretching and functional tasks) | Fatigue | FSS |
| Impact | MSIS-29 | |||||||||||||
| Khalil, H. et al., 2019 [49] | Pilot RCT | Jordan | Yes | 2 | 16 | 39.8 | 12:4 | Exercises in different niVR scenarios (Nintendo® Wii Balance Board®), during 6 weeks, 2 sessions per week | 16 | 34.8 | 10:6 | CT (Balance exercises) | Fatigue | M-FIS |
| QoL | SF-36 | |||||||||||||
| Lamargue, D et al., 2020 [50] | RCT | France | Yes | 2 | 18 | 43.8 | 12:6 | REACTIV program based niVR, during 4 months, 3 sessions per week. Each session lasted 45 min. | 17 | 38.3 | 14:3 | CT (Physical activity and global cognitive stimulation) | Fatigue | M-FIS |
| QoL | SF-36 | |||||||||||||
| Maggio, M.G. et al., 2020 [59] | RCT | Italy | NR | 1 | 30 | 51.9 | 12:18 | Semi-immersive VR using BTS-Nirvana for a total of 24 sessions using niVR, during 8 weeks, 3 sessions per week. Each session lasted 60 min. In addition, CT program was added | 30 | 48.2 | 17:13 | CT (General conditioning exercises of strengthening, gait and postural control) | QoL | MS-QoL |
| Ozkul, C. et al., 2020 [52] | RCT | Turkey | No | 2 | 13 | 29 | 9:4 | Exercises using augmented and iVR (RAGU system) during 8 weeks, 2 sessions per week. A total of 16 sessions, 20 min each. | 13 | 34 | 11:2 | CT (balance training trough exercises with ball) | Fatigue | FSS |
| 13 | 34 | 10:3 | NI (Simple observation) | |||||||||||
| Prosperini, L. et al., 2013 [55] | RCT | Italy | No | 2 | 18 | 35.3 | 13:5 | Home-based training with Nintendo® Wii Balance Board® during 12 weeks, 5 sessions per week. Sessions lasted 30 min. | 18 | 37.1 | 12:6 | NI (Simple observation) | Impact | MSIS-29 |
| 18 | 37.1 | 12.6 | 18 | 35.3 | 13:5 | NI (Simple observation) | ||||||||
| Robinson, J. et al., 2015 [56] | RCT | UK | Yes | 2 | 20 | 52.6 | 14:6 | 8 sessions of exercises using Nintendo® Wii Fit videogames during 4 weeks, 2 sessions per week. Sessions lasted 40–60 min |
16 | 53.9 | 12:4 | CT (Balance training) | Impact | WHODAS 2.0 |
| 15 | 51.9 | 12:3 | NI (Simple observation) | |||||||||||
| Thomas, S. et al., 2017 [57] |
RCT | UK | Yes | 2 | 15 | 50.9 | 14:1 | Home-based training and personalized Nintendo® Wii Balance Board® using Mii-vitaleSe, in addition to other therapies, including CT, as medical treatment if patients require it. | 15 | 47.6 | 13:2 | CT (usual care, physical, medicine and education support) | Impact | MSIS-29 |
| QoL | SF-36 | |||||||||||||
| Tollár, J. et al., 2019 [58] | RCT | Hungary | No | 2 | 14 | 48.2 | 12:2 | 25 sessions using Xbox 360 and Kinect sensor, during 5 weeks, 5 sessions per week. Each session lasted 1 h. | 14 | 46.9 | 12:2 | CT (Dynamic and static balance exercises | Impact | MSIS-29 |
| 12 | 47 | 11:1 | NI (Simple observation) | |||||||||||
| Tuba-Ozdogar, A. et al., 2020 [51] | RCT | Turkey | Yes | 4 | 20 | 39.2 | 16:4 | 8 sessions using Microsoft Xbox One and Kinect motion sensor, during 8 weeks, 1 session per week (45 min per session) | 17 | 43.6 | 12:5 | CT (Balance, stretching and core stability exercises) | Fatigue | M-FIS |
| 20 | 37.9 | 15:5 | NI (Simple observation) | QoL | MS-QoL | |||||||||
| Yazgan, Y.Z. et al., 2020 [53] | RCT | Turkey | Yes | 4 | 15 | 47.4 | 13:2 | 16 sessions of exercises using Nintendo® WiFit videogames during 8 weeks, 2 sessions per week. Sessions lasted 60 min |
12 | 43.1 | 12 | CT (Balance training exercises) | Fatigue | FSS |
| 15 | 40.6 | 13:2 | NI (Simple observation) | QoL | MS-QoL | |||||||||
Abbreviations: K = number of independent comparisons; RCT = randomized controlled trial; N = number of participants; F = female; M= male; niVR = non-immersive virtual reality; LMC = Leap Motion Controller; iVR = immersive virtual reality; CT = conventional therapy; NI = no intervention (simple observation); UK = United Kingdom; QoL = quality of life; FSS = Fatigue Severity Scale; MFIS = Modified Fatigue Impact Scale; MSIS-29 = Multiple Sclerosis Impact Scale-29; MS-QoL = Multiple Sclerosis Quality of Life; WHODAS = World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0.