title: Virtual reality in multiple sclerosis - A systematic review.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory disease in which the insulating cover of nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord are damaged. The methods used for motor rehabilitation of patients with neurological problems require the performance of several rehabilitation exercises. Recently, studies related to the use of video game consoles have proliferated in the field of motor rehabilitation. Virtual reality (VR) has been proposed as a potentially useful tool for motoring assessment and rehabilitation.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to investigate the results shown in previous studies on "Multiple Sclerosis" and "Virtual Reality".
  
  
  METHODS
  A bibliographic review was performed without time limitations. The research was carried out using PubMed and BVS databases. Considering keywords, we included articles that showed the terms "Multiple Sclerosis" and "Virtual Reality". The review was according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines
  
  
  RESULTS
  The initial search yielded 41 articles. After the duplicates were removed, two authors independently evaluated the title and abstract of each of the articles with the study inclusion criteria. From these, 31 articles were excluded based on the title and abstract. Finally, 10 articles were isolated that met the inclusion criteria.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  VR represents a motivational and effective alternative to traditional motor rehabilitation for MS patients. The results showed that VR programs could be an effective method of patients with MS rehabilitation in multiple cognitive and / or motor deficits. Additional research is needed to support the rehabilitation protocols with VR and increase the effects of treatment.
authors.affiliation: Post-graduate Program in Rehabilitation Sciences - Faculty of Medicine - University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil. Electronic address: thaismassetti@terra.com.br.
authors.forename: Thais
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Massetti
authors.affiliation: Post-graduate Program in Rehabilitation Sciences - Faculty of Medicine - University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Isabela Lopes
authors.initials: IL
authors.lastname: Trevizan
authors.affiliation: Post-graduate Program in Cardiology - Federal University of São Paulo - Paulista School of Medicine, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Arab
authors.affiliation: Department of Morphology and Physiology - Faculty of Medicine of ABC, Santo André, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Francis Meire
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Favero
authors.affiliation: Post-graduate Program in Rehabilitation Sciences - Faculty of Medicine - University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Denise Cardoso
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Ribeiro-Papa
authors.affiliation: Post-graduate Program in Rehabilitation Sciences - Faculty of Medicine - University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Carlos Bandeira
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: de Mello Monteiro
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D000066530:Neurological Rehabilitation / Q000379:methods; D014584:User-Computer Interface
keywords: Multiple Sclerosis; Virtual Reality