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Sport Sciences for Health

Effectiveness of virtual reality-based rehabilitation for lower limb function in osteoporosis: a systematic review

Published in:
Authors
Mohsen soleimani
Fatemeh Masaebi
Fatemeh sangtarash
Published in
Sport Sciences for Health | Issue 1/2026

Abstract

Background

With the aging of the global population, osteoporosis has become a major healthcare concern. Alongside conventional exercises (CE), virtual reality–based rehabilitation (VRR) shows potential for improving lower-limb function; however, its clinical application remains debated. This systematic review compares VRR and CE effects on lower-limb function in osteoporosis.

Methods

A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, IEEE, Scopus, Web of Science, SCI, APA Psycnet databases to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) about lower limb rehabilitation in osteoporosis patients utilizing VRR. The search included English-language studies published until December 2024.

Results

Six RCTs (from 4321 records) met inclusion criteria and were assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool (RoB-2). Two studies reported greater enhancements in femoral neck and spine bone mineral density (BMD) in the VRR group, while one study indicated no difference in spine BMD between the VRR and CE groups after intervention. Additionally, four studies which examined balance and gait parameters found greater improvement in the VRR group compared to the CE. Five studies using non-immersive VRR reported no side effects, while one study with fully immersive VRR noted vertigo as a side effect.

Conclusion

VRR may improve lower limb function in osteoporosis patients; however, its effects on bone mineral density remain uncertain, likely due to short intervention durations and limited follow-up periods. While VRR shows promise as a complementary rehabilitation strategy, these findings should be interpreted cautiously, and further long-term, high-quality RCTs are required to establish its effectiveness and safety for broader clinical use.
Title
Effectiveness of virtual reality-based rehabilitation for lower limb function in osteoporosis: a systematic review
Authors
Mohsen soleimani
Fatemeh Masaebi
Fatemeh sangtarash
Publication date
01-03-2026
Publisher
Springer Milan
Published in
Sport Sciences for Health / Issue 1/2026
Print ISSN: 1824-7490
Electronic ISSN: 1825-1234
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11332-026-01684-y
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