Improvements in Patients with Vestibular Disorders by Using Virtual Reality

This paper aims to investigate the potential benefits of using Virtual Reality (VR) for improving vestibular disorders, including central vestibular dysfunction and peripheral vestibular conditions such as Vestibular Neuritis (VN) and Bilateral Vestibulopathy (BVP). Methodology: A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted following PRISMA 2020 guidelines. Relevant studies from PubMed, IEEE Xplore, Cochrane, and Medline were selected using specific criteria, focusing on randomized controlled trials related to VR-based therapies for vestibular disorders. Results: Out of 1543 initially identified publications, 536 were included after removing duplicates. After further exclusions, 258 articles were disqualified. The final analysis included studies that utilized VR for vestibular dysfunction therapy, comparing it with traditional vestibular rehabilitation (TVR) techniques. Meta-analysis results showed significant improvements in posturography, Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI), and Vestibular Symptom Scale-Short Form (VSS-SF) scores among VR-treated patients when compared to control groups. Conclusion: This systematic review and meta-analysis indicate that VR holds promise as an effective tool in improving symptoms of vestibular disorders, particularly in cases of central vestibular dysfunction. VR-based rehabilitation demonstrates higher patient satisfaction and may offer a more enjoyable alternative to traditional approaches.