Virtual reality interventions and applications used in rehabilitation in adults with multiple sclerosis: A scoping review.

BACKGROUND

This scoping review aimed to identify and synthesize the types of virtual reality (VR) interventions and applications used in the rehabilitation of adults with multiple sclerosis (MS).

METHODS

A comprehensive search was conducted across seven generic databases (MEDLINE/PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane Library, Web of Science Core Collection, EBSCOhost, CINAHL, and ProQuest) up to April 2026. The review followed PRISMA-ScR guidelines and the protocol was prospectively registered in OSF https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/G7R5X

RESULTS

A total of 670 records were identified, and 33 studies met the inclusion criteria. The evidence showed a predominance of non-immersive and semi-immersive VR systems, whereas fully immersive and augmented/projection-based applications were less frequently reported. Applications were technologically heterogeneous and included commercial exergaming platforms, motion-sensing systems, specialized rehabilitation devices, immersive head mounted systems, telerehabilitation tools, and projection-based environments

CONCLUSIONS

VR based rehabilitation in adults with MS is characterized by heterogeneous technologies and diverse clinical applications. Current evidence supports VR mainly as a feasible adjunctive rehabilitation tool, with non-immersive and semi-immersive systems predominating and fully immersive or augmented/projection-based approaches emerging as areas for further research.