Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2025 Oct 29:S0003-9993(25)01000-7. doi: 10.1016/j.apmr.2025.10.010. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: To systematically review published clinical trials to assess the effectiveness of advanced technologies, including virtual reality (VR) 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: Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) that investigated use of VR therapy or robot-assisted therapy in the rehabilitation of functional impairments in burns were included.
DATA EXTRACTION: Two researchers independently conducted the literature screening, while two 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 RCTs with 787 patients with burns were included. Advanced technologies showed significant benefits in improving hand function, hand grip strength (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 Six-Minute Walk Test (WMD = 58.39). However, although the advanced technologies reduced the DASH 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.
PMID:41173122 | DOI:10.1016/j.apmr.2025.10.010