Abstract Upper limb injuries frequently lead to significant post-operative complications such as disability, anxiety, and depression, imposing a substantial burden on healthcare systems. Traditional rehabilitation methods, while somewhat effective, often fail to meet the complex needs of these patients. Recent developments in Virtual Reality (VR) offer an innovative alternative, enabling immersive and personalized treatment that may improve rehabilitation outcomes. This scoping review aimed to explore the efficacy, safety, feasibility, and patient engagement of VR-based interventions in upper limb rehabilitation. Following Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) guidelines, a comprehensive search was conducted across databases including Medline, Embase, CINAHL, and the Cochrane Library, with additional grey literature from Scopus and Web of Science. Studies included involved adults aged 18 or older who had undergone upper limb surgery and participated in VR rehabilitation programs. Fourteen studies ( n = 171 total participants across primary studies, plus 3 evidence syntheses) met inclusion criteria. The evidence reveals promising signals: five primary studies demonstrated range of motion improvements of 10–25%, while four studies reported clinically meaningful pain reduction (VAS decreases of 2–3 points). However, implementation challenges emerged: three studies documented cybersickness in 15–20% of participants, and two studies reported physical discomfort from headset equipment in approximately 25% of users. Critical research gaps included the absence of qualitative studies examining patient experiences, limited long-term follow-up data, and lack of standardized protocols across interventions. Additionally, the high cost of VR technologies raises concerns about equitable access and potential disparities in care. In conclusion, VR holds promise for improving upper limb rehabilitation outcomes. Future research should prioritize accessibility, equity, and holistic evaluation to ensure VR is effectively integrated into rehabilitation settings.
Reboredo et al. (Wed,) studied this question.