Abstract
Background: Recent advancements in Virtual Reality (VR) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) have notably transformed athletic training and rehabilitation strategies. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of VR in athlete rehabilitation. Methods: This review included peer-reviewed studies published up to October 2023 that compared VR-based rehabilitation methods with traditional techniques in athletic populations. Data extracted covered factors such as physical function indices, kinematic waveforms, ground reaction force (GRF), knee moments, and joint angles. A random-effects (RE) model was employed to account for between-study variability, and mean differences (MD) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated for meta-analytic comparison. Results: Four studies included in the review showed that VR-based rehabilitation groups had improved physical function indices and strength recovery, although not always at optimal speeds. Increases in GRF and knee moments were observed in athletes undergoing ACL rehabilitation with VR. The studies exhibited significant heterogeneity, indicating that VR's impact on rehabilitation outcomes varies widely. Conclusion: The substantial heterogeneity across studies suggests that multiple factors may influence the effectiveness of VR in rehabilitation. Further research is needed for a comprehensive understanding of VR's role in athletic rehab. Despite this, VR holds potential as a valuable adjunctive tool in rehabilitation strategies, warranting further investigation into its applicability and benefits.