Virtual and augmented reality for physical function in rehabilitation: an umbrella review of evidence synthesis

Virtual and augmented reality technologies are increasingly utilized in rehabilitation to improve physical function through immersive training environments. This umbrella review synthesized evidence from numerous databases to evaluate the overall effectiveness of these interventions, assess key moderating factors, and determine personalization strategies across rehabilitation populations. The findings demonstrate generally positive outcomes for balance, gait, and upper limb performance, with immersive virtual reality yielding stronger and more consistent functional gains than augmented reality, especially among neurological patients. Higher session frequency and total training time improved recovery results, while factors such as younger age, milder baseline impairment, and specific neurological conditions enhanced long term durability, though overall certainty was constrained by small sample sizes and brief follow up periods.