The primary aim of this review was to investigate the positive effects of VR therapy on upper and lower limb mobility, balance, gait, cognition and ability to perform daily tasks in stroke patients. The experimental groups, in the studies involved stroke patients being treated with VR therapy for either upper or lower limb mobility, balance, gait, cognition or ability to perform daily tasks.

The control group patients were treated with only conventional therapy. Over the 87 studies, 16 outcome measures were found that assessed limb function, balance and gait, cognition and daily function and results for each outcome measure was compared between studies. To improve the accuracy of the meta-analysis, each of the outcome measures were also split into subgroups based on the duration of therapy making the review one of the most thorough meta-analyses published.

The results of the VR treatment groups showed there were significant improvements compared to the control groups in all of the outcome measures, except box and block test, in upper and lower limb function, all outcome measures in balance and gait, except the 10m walk test, and all outcome measures of activities of daily function.

Overall, this review provides evidence that VR therapy provided additional benefit compared to conventional therapy on upper and lower limb function, balance and gait, and activities of daily living.