Virtual Reality-Based Therapy Reduces the Disabling Impact of Fibromyalgia Syndrome in Women: Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Abstract

Background: Virtual reality-based therapy (VRBT) is a novel therapeutic approach to be used in women with fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS). The aim of our study is to assess the effect of VRBT to reduce the impact of FMS in outcomes such as pain, dynamic balance, aerobic capacity, fatigue, quality of life (QoL), anxiety and depression. Methods: Systematic review with meta-analysis was conducted from a bibliographic search in PubMed, Scopus, PEDro, Web of Science and CINAHL until April 2021 in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. We included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that compare VRBT versus others to assess the mentioned outcomes in women with FMS. Effect size was calculated with standardized mean difference (SMD) and its 95% confidence interval (95% CI). Results: Eleven RCTs involving 535 women with FMS were included. Using the PEDro scale, the mean methodological quality of the included studies was moderate (6.63 ± 0.51). Our findings showed an effect of VRBT on the impact of FMS (SMD −0.62, 95% CI −0.93 to −0.31); pain (SMD −0.45, 95% CI −0.69 to −0.21); dynamic balance (SMD −0.76, 95% CI −1.12 to −0.39); aerobic capacity (SMD 0.32, 95% CI 0.004 to 0.63); fatigue (SMD −0.58, 95% CI −1.02 to −0.14); QoL (SMD 0.55, 95% CI 0.3 to 0.81); anxiety (SMD −0.47, 95% CI −0.91 to −0.03) and depression (SMD −0.46, 95% CI −0.76 to −0.16). Conclusions: VRBT is an effective therapy that reduces the impact of FMS, pain, fatigue, anxiety and depression and increases dynamic balance, aerobic capacity and quality of life in women with FMS. In addition, VRBT in combination with CTBTE showed a large effect in reducing the impact of FMS and fatigue and increasing QoL in these women.

Digital and Interactive Health Interventions Minimize the Physical and Psychological Impact of Breast Cancer, Increasing Women’s Quality of Life: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

“…DIHIs can actuate in different neuroanatomic areas related to pain perception (known as the “pain matrix”), such as the anterior cingulate cortex, the insula, the thalamus, and the primary and secondary somatosensory cortexes [ 82 , 83 ]. The distraction power of DIHIs affects the neurophysiological networks between the visual and somatosensory systems, diverting attention and leading to a slower response to incoming pain signals [ 25 , 84 ]. Interacting with DIHIs can favor the proliferation of positive emotions that produce endogenous pain reduction and a feeling of well-being.…”

“…The latest technological advances have allowed the development of digital and interactive health interventions (DIHIs) for women with BC. The use of virtual reality (VR) devices and smartphone apps has allowed the development of videogame-based interventions that reduce the impact of different pathologies [ 25 , 26 ], including BC [ 27 ], through the practice of various physical and cognitive exercises. On the one hand, virtual-reality-based therapy (VRBT) allows patients to interact with and immerse themselves in a computer-generated environment that can make them feel as if they are actually present in that world, offering immersive, semi-immersive, and non-immersive experiences depending on the type of VR.…”

The role of physiotherapy in fibromyalgia: Current and future perspectives

“…Virtual reality technology that allows individuals to be included in a virtual environment similar to the real world through a computer and interact with it has shown promising results in managing pain, anxiety or mood states and reducing the impact of fibromyalgia in women ( Cortés-Pérez et al, 2021 ). An app has also been developed to promote self-care as a mobile health resource complementary to physiotherapy in fibromyalgia management.…”

Personalized Care and Treatment Compliance in Chronic Conditions

“…The accepted topics included a variety of research studies, from study protocols [ 6 ] to original qualitative [ 7 , 8 , 9 ] and quantitative studies [ 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 ]. Additionally, review protocols [ 18 , 19 ] and literature reviews [ 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 ] were included, covering different areas of care, from studies addressing ageism [ 6 ] or stigma [ 17 ] to a personalized approach to diagnosing and managing ischemic stroke [ 16 ]. We highlighted the importance of recognizing that in order to enhance healthcare delivery, all stakeholders involved in providing care must actively partner with patients and families to enable changes in the care process, obtaining higher patient satisfaction and better health outcomes.…”

“…Second, we highlight a study aiming to assess the effect of virtual-reality-based therapy to reduce the impact of fibromyalgia syndrome in outcomes such as pain, dynamic balance, aerobic capacity, fatigue, quality of life, anxiety, and depression. The findings demonstrated that virtual-reality-based therapy can effectively reduce pain, fatigue, anxiety, and depression and increase dynamic balance, aerobic capacity, and quality of life in women with fibromyalgia syndrome [ 21 ].…”