title: Virtual reality for improving balance in patients after stroke: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the effectiveness of virtual reality interventions for improving balance in people after stroke.
  
  
  METHODS
  Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
  
  
  METHODS
  Studies were obtained by searching the following databases: MEDLINE, CINAHL, EMBASE, Web of Science and CENTRAL. Two reviewers assessed studies for inclusion, extracted data and assessed trial quality.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sixteen studies involving 428 participants were included. People who received virtual reality interventions showed marked improvements in Berg Balance Scale (mean difference: 1.46, 95% confidence interval: 0.09-2.83, P<0.05, I²=0%) and Timed Up and Go Test (mean difference: -1.62, 95% confidence interval: -3.07- -0.16, P<0.05, I²=24%) compared with controls.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials supports the use of virtual reality to improve balance after stroke.
authors.affiliation: Department of Geriatrics, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
authors.forename: Zhen
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
authors.forename: Xiu-Guo
authors.initials: XG
authors.lastname: Han
authors.affiliation: Department of Geriatrics, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
authors.forename: Jing
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sheng
authors.affiliation: Department of Geriatrics, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China zhenli1991@163.com.
authors.forename: Shao-Jun
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Ma
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000502:physiology*; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012678:Sensation Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D020521:Stroke / Q000150:complications*; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation / Q000379:methods*; D063367:Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy / Q000379:methods*
keywords: Balance; meta-analysis; rehabilitation; stroke; virtual reality