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The Efficacy of Virtual Reality Rehabilitation on Balance, Pain, and Functional Outcomes in Athletes with Chronic Ankle Instability: A Systematic Review
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Hossien Ashoury *    , Parisa Bahrami |
| Assitance Professor, Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Payame Noor University, Tehran, Iran , hoosienashoury@yahoo.com |
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Abstract: (9 Views) |
Background and Aim: Chronic ankle instability (CAI) is caused by repeated sprains and poor neuromuscular control, and is associated with decreased function, persistent pain, and a high risk of re-injury. Traditional rehabilitation methods often have variable results, which has led to the use of new alternative technologies such as virtual reality (VR) in ankle rehabilitation. The aim of this systematic review is to evaluate the effectiveness of VR training as a therapeutic intervention for athletes with CAI.
Methods: This study was designed and implemented as a systematic review, which conducted a comprehensive search of the scientific literature in several reputable databases, including PubMed, Sci-Hub, Cochrane, Scopus, Megiran, Google Scholar, Web of Science, and Since Direct, and focused on randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and observational studies published between January and June 2016 and 2024. and studies that evaluated the effect of VR training on pain levels, functional capacity, and quality of life in athletes with CAI were included. Keywords extracted were chronic ankle instability, virtual reality, rehabilitation, balance, pain, systematic review, motor function. The Prosoero code of this study is CRD420251133199, and the data and quality assessment of the studies were conducted independently by two experts in the field of rehabilitation to ensure the validity, accuracy, and impartiality of the systematic review process. Data analysis in this systematic review was qualitative, therefore, the results were presented descriptively using a data extraction table and the quality of studies was assessed using the PEDro scale. The analysis showed that virtual reality training significantly improved pain management, motor function, balance, and motivation in athletes compared to traditional methods.
Results: A total of 598 studies were retrieved. After initial screening, 138 were excluded due to duplication, 132 studies were excluded due to irrelevance, and 97 studies did not meet the predefined inclusion criteria. Full text review also resulted in the exclusion of 231 articles for the following reasons: These studies showed that VR training significantly improved static and dynamic balance, reduced pain intensity, increased athlete motivation to continue rehabilitation compared to traditional methods, and improved functional outcomes compared to control groups. Interventions varied in duration and frequency, with most studies recommending 30- to 60-minute sessions, 2-3 times per week.
Conclusion: VR training appears to be a suitable intervention for pain management, improving motor function, and balance in athletes with CAI. Future research should also focus on standardizing protocols and examining long-term outcomes to further confirm these results. It is suggested that virtual reality exercises be considered as part of standard rehabilitation programs for athletes with chronic ankle instability, and it is also recommended that training courses be organized for physiotherapists and athletic trainers on the effective use of VR technology in the treatment of CAI. These findings support the inclusion of VRE exercises in rehabilitation programs for CAI.
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| Keywords: Chronic ankle instability, virtual reality, rehabilitation, balance, pain, systematic review, motor function. |
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Type of Study: Review |
Subject:
General
Received: 2025/07/17 | Revised: 2025/09/8 | Accepted: 2025/09/8
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