Effects of Virtual Walking on Neuropathic Pain in People With Spinal Cord Injury: A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND

Neuropathic pain after a spinal cord injury (SCI) is a common disorder whose management is highly complex. New therapies based on mirror neuron activation have been studied to address this problem.

OBJECTIVES

This systematic review aims to update the information about the effect of virtual walking (VW) systems on pain in people with complete or incomplete SCI.

METHODS

Five databases (MEDLINE, Cochrane, Scopus, Embase, and PEDro) were consulted to find clinical trials on the topic. An Excel table was designed to collect all selected study data, including information about the design, objectives, samples, interventions, outcomes, and main results. PEDro scale was used to assess study quality.

RESULTS

Ten studies were included in this systematic review. Six of them were clinical trials, and the methodological quality of the studies was moderate to high. The results of these trials support that VW reduces neuropathic pain in complete and incomplete SCI patients. This effect can be enhanced and maintained if combined with other therapies such as transcranial direct current stimulation.

CONCLUSION

Isolated VW is effective in reducing neuropathic pain in complete and incomplete SCI patients, and these effects are enhanced when combined with other therapies.