Key result
Virtual reality-based cardiac rehab improves exercise capacity by ~53 meters and reduces psychological distress.
Why the study?
Virtual reality is of growing interest in cardiac rehabilitation, but prior studies examining its effects have shown inconsistent results.
Does virtual reality technology improve exercise capacity and negative emotions in patients undergoing cardiac rehabilitation compared to routine cardiac rehabilitation?
Meta-Analysis (n=1,093)
Does virtual reality technology improve exercise capacity and negative emotions in patients undergoing cardiac rehabilitation compared to routine cardiac rehabilitation?
Virtual reality-based interventions are an effective alternative or complementary modality to traditional cardiac rehabilitation, significantly improving patients' exercise capacity and reducing negative emotions like anxiety, depression, and stress.
Answers are grounded in this paper and cite their sources.
Supports integrating virtual reality into cardiac rehabilitation programs; extends Level 1 evidence for digital adjuncts improving capacity and mood.
BACKGROUND: The significance of virtual reality (VR) technology as an alternative or complementary modality to traditional cardiac rehabilitation is of increasing interest. Numerous studies have examined the effects of virtual reality technology in cardiac rehabilitation patients, but the results have been inconsistent. METHODS: We conducted a systematic search of the Cochrane Library, Web of Science, PubMed, Embase, Scopus, ProQuest, OVID, CINAHL, SinoMed, CNKI, WanFang, VIP Database, and ReadShow databases following the Program for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis guidelines. The search included studies published up until June 30, 2024. The Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool was used to examine the methodological quality of the included randomized controlled studies. When feasible, a meta-analysis was performed to calculate the pooled effects using Review Manager (version 5.3). Otherwise, narrative summaries were performed. RESULTS: A total of 11 studies with 1093 patients were included. The results of systematic review and meta-analysis showed that virtual reality technology improved patients' exercise capacity (mean difference: 53.26, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 45.14-61.37; P < .00001); anxiety (standardized mean difference [SMD]: -0.39, 95% CI: -0.69, -0.08, P = .01); depression (SMD: -0.48, 95% CI: -0.79, -0.17; P = .003); stress (SMD: -0.72, 95% CI: -1.03, -0.40; P < .00001); emotional tension (SMD: -0.81, 95% CI: -1.15, -0.47; P < .00001); emotional tension (SMD: -0.64, 95% CI: -0.98, -0.30; P = .0002), and intrapsychic stress (SMD: -0.56, 95% CI: -0.90, -0.23; P = .0009). CONCLUSION: Virtual reality-based interventions can be effective in improving patients' exercise capacity and negative emotions. However, further research is needed to determine the efficacy of VR for other clinical outcomes.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Zhang et al. (2024) conducted a meta-analysis in Cardiovascular disease requiring cardiac rehabilitation (n=1,093). Virtual reality-based cardiac rehabilitation vs. Routine cardiac rehabilitation was evaluated on Exercise capacity (MD 53.26, 95% CI 45.14-61.37, p=<0.00001). Virtual reality-based interventions significantly improved exercise capacity (MD 53.26) and reduced negative emotions including anxiety, depression, and stress in cardiac rehabilitation patients.
Synapse has enriched 10 related papers. Consider them for comparative context: