Effects of Virtual Reality-Based Interventions for Promoting Physical Activity in Patients With Heart Failure: Systematic Review
Evidence suggests virtual reality-based interventions may enhance physical activity and rehabilitation accessibility in heart failure patients, with studies showing improvements in exercise capacity (60% of studies) and quality of life (40% of studies) primarily in older adult populations. Signal observed for high adherence rates and no safety concerns across home-based VR programs including exergaming and immersive cycling delivered over 4-12 weeks. Worth noting the evidence base remains limited by small sample sizes and methodological heterogeneity, with most research focused on adult rather than pediatric heart failure populations.
Future research should prioritize larger, rigorously designed trials to support sustained clinical impact.
Relevance: Systematic review of virtual reality interventions for physical activity in heart failure patients (predominantly older adults). Heart failure is a research interest; VR-based rehabilitation could be relevant to pediatric heart failure management, but evidence base is in adult population.