The Effectiveness of Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality, and Mixed Reality Rehabilitation in Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Abstract

Background

Extended reality (XR), including virtual reality, augmented reality, and mixed reality, has been increasingly used in postoperative rehabilitation of total knee arthroplasty (TKA). The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to evaluate the effectiveness of XR-based rehabilitation in TKA compared to conventional rehabilitation.

Methods

In this study, we searched PubMed (MEDLINE), Embase (OVID), Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), Web of Science, and clinicaltrials.gov from inception to February 15, 2023 for eligible studies. A total of 14 randomized controlled trials with 989 patients were included in our study. The primary outcomes were pain and function. The secondary outcomes were anxiety and quality of life. A systematic review and meta-analysis was performed.

Results

The pooled data indicated XR-based rehabilitation significantly improved the visual analog scale (standardized mean difference [SMD] = −0.31, 95% Confidence Interval [CI] [−0.47 to −0.15], P = .0001), the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (SMD = −0.46, 95% CI [−0.86 to −0.06], P = .02), range of motion (SMD = 0.40, 95% CI [0.09 to 0.72], P = .01), and anxiety scores (mean difference = −3.95, 95% CI [−7.76 to −0.13], P = .04) than conventional rehabilitation, but Timed Up and Go test and quality of life were similar in the 2 groups.

Conclusion

This systematic review and meta-analysis found XR-based rehabilitation improved pain, function, and anxiety, but not quality of life in TKA compared to conventional rehabilitation within 1 month postoperatively. Based on the pooled results, we suggested that XR-based rehabilitation may have benefit in patients' postoperative rehabilitation in TKA.