VR-assisted physiotherapy improves pain, function, and balance in knee osteoarthritisVirtual reality helps manage knee osteoarthritis pain and function
American journal of physical medicine & rehabilitationPublished July 24, 2026Study authors: Liu Hsuan-Wei, Tsai Tsung-LinPubMed ↗DOI ↗Editorial oversight: Dr. Ji-eun Park, MD · Brain, Mind & Pain
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Key Takeaway
Consider VR-assisted physiotherapy as an adjunctive option for knee osteoarthritis, but note the modest effect sizes and absent safety data.
This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the effectiveness of virtual reality (VR)-assisted physiotherapy versus traditional rehabilitation in patients with knee osteoarthritis (KOA). The analysis included randomized controlled trials, though the exact number of studies and sample size were not reported.
Key findings showed statistically significant improvements favoring VR-assisted physiotherapy for pain relief (SMD = 0.40, 95% CI: 0.14-0.65, P = 0.002), physical function (SMD = 0.37, 95% CI: 0.05-0.70, P = 0.003), and balance (SMD = 0.44, 95% CI: 0.16-0.72, P = 0.002). These effect sizes are considered small to moderate.
The review did not report limitations, adverse events, or funding sources, which limits the ability to assess the quality and safety of the evidence. The authors note that VR-assisted physiotherapy appears effective for KOA, but the absence of safety data and study details warrants cautious interpretation. Clinicians may consider VR as an adjunctive option, but further high-quality research is needed to confirm these findings and establish safety.
How this fits prior evidence
This meta-analysis extends prior coverage on knee osteoarthritis interventions by evaluating a novel technology-based approach. Previous findings highlighted the efficacy of Mongolian warm acupuncture and celecoxib for pain relief, and neuromodulation as a low-certainty option. The current results suggest VR-assisted physiotherapy may offer additional benefits for pain, function, and balance, though effect sizes are modest and safety data are absent. It contrasts with the high-certainty evidence for celecoxib and the low-certainty for neuromodulation, filling a gap in non-pharmacologic, technology-driven rehabilitation.
Living with knee osteoarthritis often means dealing with constant pain and a loss of mobility. It can make simple daily tasks feel like a struggle, making it hard to stay active or maintain balance. New research suggests that adding virtual reality (VR) to your physical therapy routine might offer better results than traditional methods alone.
Researchers looked at several trials comparing VR-assisted physiotherapy to standard rehabilitation. They found that patients using VR reported significantly better outcomes in three key areas: pain relief, physical function, and balance. These improvements were consistent across the data compared to those who only received traditional treatment.
While these results are promising for people looking for new ways to manage their condition, it is important to remember that this was a review of existing studies. Because specific details on safety or individual patient experiences weren't fully detailed in this summary, you should talk with your doctor or physical therapist about how VR might fit into your personal treatment plan.
What this means for you:
Virtual reality-assisted physiotherapy shows better results for pain, function, and balance in knee osteoarthritis.
Common questions
How does virtual reality help with knee osteoarthritis?
Virtual reality (VR) is used during physiotherapy to help patients manage their condition. The research shows that adding VR to your exercises can lead to significantly better outcomes for pain relief, physical function, and balance compared to traditional rehabilitation methods alone.
Is it more effective than standard physical therapy?
Yes, the data indicates that VR-assisted physiotherapy is more effective than consistent traditional rehabilitation. Specifically, patients using VR showed significant improvements in their ability to move and maintain balance while experiencing better pain reduction.
What specific benefits were found for knee pain?
The study found that patients using virtual reality-assisted physiotherapy had significantly better outcomes for pain relief, physical function, and balance. These improvements were measured against standard rehabilitation treatments to see if the technology provided a measurable benefit.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of virtual reality (VR)-assisted physiotherapy in improving pain, physical function, and balance in patients with knee osteoarthritis (KOA) compared with traditional rehabilitation treatments.
DESIGN: Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs).
RESULTS: This analysis included 5 randomized controlled trials (RCTs). The pooled results showed that, compared with consistency rehabilitation, virtual reality (VR)-assisted physiotherapy produced significantly better outcomes in patients with knee osteoarthritis (KOA) for pain relief (SMD = 0.40, 95% CI: 0.14-0.65, P = 0.002), physical function (SMD = 0.37, 95% CI: 0.05-0.70, P = 0.003), and balance (SMD = 0.44, 95% CI: 0.16-0.72, P = 0.002).
CONCLUSIONS: Virtual reality-assisted physiotherapy is an effective intervention for patients with knee osteoarthritis, showing superior outcomes in pain reduction, functional improvement, and balance enhancement compared to traditional rehabilitation approaches.
