Year: 2026 | Month: July-September | Volume: 11 | Issue: 3 | Pages: 251-261
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52403/gijhsr.20260328
The Impact of Immersive Virtual Reality on Motor Recovery, Balance and Functional Performance in Sub-Acute Stroke Rehabilitation: A Scoping Review
P S B Roshan1, Harish S Krishna2, Aswin T J3
1Assistant Professor, 2Professor, 3Post Graduate Student,
Laxmi Memorial College of Physiotherapy, Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences, Mangaluru, Karnataka
Corresponding Author: Aswin T J
ABSTRACT
Background: Subacute stroke causes profound motor deficits, postural instability, and diminished functional independence. Immersive virtual reality (IVR) using head-mounted displays (HMDs) has grown in interest as an innovative intervention affecting neuroplasticity and cortical reorganization through multi-sensory, task-specific training.
Objective: To map and summarize the current evidence on IVR interventions in subacute stroke rehabilitation regarding motor recovery, balance, functional outcomes, and clinical assessment.
Methods: A scoping review was conducted following the methodological framework and PRISMA-ScR guidelines. We searched electronic databases to identify clinical trials that evaluated high-fidelity virtual configurations in stroke care. Data were extracted and synthesized narratively.
Results: The available evidence demonstrates that immersive virtual reality has been investigated across the major rehabilitation domains of motor recovery, balance, and functional performance in subacute stroke patients. Potential improvements were reported in upper-limb motor function, hand performance, postural control, gait, mobility, and activities of daily living. Immersive VR interventions incorporated interactive, task-oriented activities, visual feedback, progressive challenges, and, in some studies, technology-assisted movement tracking.
Conclusion: Immersive virtual reality demonstrates potential as an adjunct to conventional rehabilitation for improving motor recovery, balance, and functional performance in patients with subacute stroke. Nevertheless, the heterogeneity of the available evidence limits direct comparisons between studies and prevents definitive conclusions regarding the optimal immersive VR rehabilitation protocol. Further research using standardized intervention protocols, consistent outcome measures, and well-designed clinical trials is required.
Keywords: Stroke, Immersive Virtual Reality, Neurorehabilitation, Motor Recovery, Scoping Review