title: Virtual feedback for motor and pain rehabilitation after spinal cord injury.
abstract: METHODS
  Interventions using virtual feedback (VF) impact on motor functions and pain and may be relevant for neurorehabilitation after spinal cord injury (SCI) in which motor dysfunctions and (concomitant) pain are frequently observed. Potential mechanisms underlying VF include a modulation of cortical sensorimotor integration, increased therapy engagement and distraction from effort and pain. Still, the optimal parameters for VF and their technical implementation are currently unknown.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To provide an overview of interventions that have used VF to improve motor functions or to reduce pain after SCI.
  
  
  METHODS
  Literature review.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total number of 17 studies were identified. VF interventions commonly focused on improving motor functions (n=12) or reducing pain (n=4). Only one study assessed both motor functions and pain. Studies generally report beneficial effects. However, the evidence is of low-level quality and many practical as well as theoretical issues remain unclear. Remaining knowledge gaps include: (1) optimal VF system characteristics, (2) the impact of different VF modalities and tasks, (3) dose-response relationships and (4) the identification of patients that are likely to benefit from VF. Future work should start by closing these knowledge gaps using systematic and controlled multi-session interventions and by assessing the underlying mechanisms involved.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results provide an important incentive to further assess the potential of VF interventions to simultaneously improve motor functions and reduce pain after SCI, which could contribute to better neurorehabilitation outcomes after SCI.
authors.affiliation: 1] Centre Interdisciplinaire de Recherche en Réadaptation et Intégration Sociale (CIRRIS), Québec, Québec, Canada [2] Département de réadaptation, Faculté de médecine, Université Laval, Québec, Québec, Canada.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Roosink
authors.affiliation: 1] Centre Interdisciplinaire de Recherche en Réadaptation et Intégration Sociale (CIRRIS), Québec, Québec, Canada [2] Département de réadaptation, Faculté de médecine, Université Laval, Québec, Québec, Canada.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Mercier
mesh_terms: D001676:Biofeedback, Psychology / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D009069:Movement Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D059408:Pain Management; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000150:complications / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014584:User-Computer Interface