Advanced Technologies for Limb Rehabilitation in Burns: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE

To systematically review published clinical trials to assess the effectiveness of advanced technologies, including virtual reality therapy and robot-assisted therapy, in the rehabilitation of limb function in patients with burns.

DATA SOURCES: We electronically searched the PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and Cumulative Index to Nursing & Allied Health Literature databases from inception to June 2025.

STUDY SELECTION: Randomized controlled trials that investigated use of virtual reality therapy or robot-assisted therapy in the rehabilitation of functional impairments in burns were included.

DATA EXTRACTION: Two researchers independently conducted the literature screening, whereas 2 other researchers assessed the quality of the included studies using the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool. Data extraction focused on the primary outcomes of rehabilitation assessment, including hand function, hand grip strength, and range of motion (ROM) of the affected joints. Additionally, data were extracted for outcomes related to pain, upper and lower limb function, and study characteristics.

DATA SYNTHESIS: Sixteen randomized controlled trials with 787 patients with burns were included. Advanced technologies showed significant benefits in improving hand function, hand grip strength (standardized mean difference [SMD]=-1.52 and 0.72), and ROM of joints (SMD=0.57). Subgroup analyses revealed that ROM improvements in the upper limb joints were superior to that in the lower limbs (SMD=0.76 and 0.43). Additionally, the technologies reduced pain (SMD=-0.59) and improved the scores of the 6-minute walk test (WMD=58.39). However, although the advanced technologies reduced the disabilities of the arm, shoulder, and hand score for upper limb function (SMD=-0.38), this result was not statistically significant.

CONCLUSIONS

Burn rehabilitation based on advanced technologies has significantly improved hand function, increased hand grip strength, and substantially enhanced joint ROM. Additionally, these technologies have improved lower limb function without adverse effects. However, the rehabilitation outcomes for upper limb function did not reach statistical significance.