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. 2021 Nov 6;21(21):7389. doi: 10.3390/s21217389

Table 4.

Main Findings in Meta-Analyses.

Effect Size Publication Bias Heterogeneity
Outcomes Groups K N Ns SMD 95% CI p Funnel Plot Trim-and-Fill Q-test I2 p
Adjusted SMD % of Var.
Fatigue Overall Analysis 10 319 31.9 −0.33 [−0.61, −0.06] 0.02 Symmetric −0.33 0% 9 0% 0.44
Specific comparison
subgroups		 VR vs NI 3 96 33 −0.2 [−0.61, 0.2] 0.33 Symmetric −0.22 0% 1.9 0% 0.37
VR vs CT 6 193 32.2 −0.4 [−0.7, −0.11] 0.006 Asymmetric −0.51 27% 5.1 1.9% 0.41
VR + CT vs CT 1 30 30 −0.23 [−0.95, 0.48] 0.52 NP NP NP NP NP NP
Impact of Multiple Sclerosis Overall Analysis 8 287 31.8 −0.3 [−0.55, −0.04] 0.02 Asymmetric −0.61 50% 8.9 21% 0.26
Specific comparison
subgroups		 VR vs NI 4 103 25.8 −0.61 [−0.97, −0.23] 0.001 Asymmetric −0.74 23% 5.5 27.7% 0.23
VR vs CT 2 64 32 −0.03 [−0.48, 0.53] 0.92 NP NP NP 0.98 0% 0.32
VR + CT vs CT 2 90 45 −0.02 [−0.54, 0.49] 0.93 NP NP NP 0.3 0% 0.6
Overall
Quality of Life		 Overall Analysis 8 291 36.3 0.5 [0.23, 0.76] <0.001 Symmetric 0.5 0% 7.1 2% 0.21
Specific comparison subgroups VR vs NI 2 99 49.5 0.79 [0.3, 1.28] 0.002 NP NP NP 0.1 0% 0.75
VR vs CT 4 166 41.5 0.29 [−0.15, 0.72] 0.2 Asymmetric 0.44 57% 3.1 3.5% 0.21
VR + CT vs CT 2 90 45 0.6 [0.13, 1.07] 0.012 NP NP NP 1 0% 0.32
Physical Quality of Life Overall Analysis 3 127 42.3 0.58 [0.13, 1.02] 0.011 Symmetric 0.58 0% 1.9 0% 0.38
Specific comparison subgroups VR vs CT 2 67 33.5 0.37 [−0.14, 0.87] 0.16 NP NP NP 1 0% 0.32
VR + CT vs CT 1 60 60 0.87 [0.3, 1.43] 0.003 NP NP NP NP NP NP
Mental Quality of Life Overall Analysis 3 127 42.3 0.55 [0.09, 1.01] 0.018 Asymmetric 0.38 31% 2.1 6.2% 0.35
Specific comparison subgroups VR vs CT 67 33.5 33.5 0.51 [0.02, 1] 0.042 NP NP NP 1 0% 0.32
VR + CT vs CT 60 60 60 0.6 [0.08, 1.11] 0.025 NP NP NP NP NP NP

Abbreviations: K = number of independent comparisons; N = number of participants; Ns = mean number of participants per study; SMD = Cohen’s Standardized Mean Difference; 95% CI = 95% confidence interval; p = p-value; % of var = percentage of variation; I2 = degree of inconsistency; VR = virtual reality; NI = not intervention; CT = conventional therapy; NP = not possible.