Virtual reality (VR) interventions have demonstrated promising outcomes in preventing falls among older adults. Numerous studies indicate that VR-based exercises can substantially enhance balance, alleviate the fear of falling, and improve postural control within this demographic.16–18 These interventions are particularly efficacious when conducted over an 8-week period, with sessions lasting between 30 and 60min, three times per week.17 The advantages of VR training become evident as early as the fourth week of the intervention.18 In addition to fall prevention, VR exercises have been linked to improvements in muscle strength, quality of life, and independence in daily activities.17,18 The incorporation of VR technology in healthcare serves as a valuable tool for addressing balance disorders and mitigating fall risks in older adults, potentially leading to reduced morbidity and mortality in this vulnerable population.16 Immersive VR in stroke rehabilitation employs interactive computer-generated environments that simulate real-life activities designed to engage stroke patients in therapeutic tasks aimed at enhancing dynamic balance and postural stability. These immersive digital environments and interactive technologies challenge and improve stroke patients’ ability to maintain postural stability through exercise and activities.19

Virtual reality (VR) training has shown promising outcomes in enhancing gait and balance in individuals with neurological disorders. Empirical studies have indicated that VR-based rehabilitation results in more substantial improvements in balance and gait performance than traditional physical therapy in patients with Parkinson's disease.20 VR technology facilitates personalized assessment and rehabilitation within enriched and complex environments, thereby potentially optimizing motor learning.21 A meta-analysis revealed significant enhancements in gait parameters, including cadence, stride length, and gait speed, following VR interventions in stroke survivors.22 These findings suggest that VR-enhanced rehabilitation provides an engaging and effective approach for improving gait and balance in neurological disorders.

VR has emerged as a promising modality for upper-limb rehabilitation in stroke survivors, offering engaging, task-specific training that facilitates motor learning and functional restoration.23 VR systems provide customizable difficulty levels, real-time feedback, and safe simulations of daily activities, thereby enhancing neuroplasticity and recovery.24 Empirical studies have demonstrated that VR-based interventions significantly improve upper limb function, activities of daily living (ADL), and quality of life compared to conventional therapy.25 VR exhibits superior outcomes for ADL compared to non-immersive VR, with subacute stroke survivors showing the most pronounced improvements.25 The integration of VR with conventional therapy appears to be particularly efficacious.23,25 While the potential is evident, further research is required to ascertain the optimal implementation conditions and long-term effects, particularly in low-resource settings.25

Virtual reality (VR) interventions have demonstrated considerable potential for enhancing both physical and psychological well-being among older adults. Empirical studies have demonstrated VR's efficacy of VR in improving cognitive function, physical health, and reducing fall risk.26 VR therapy has proven particularly advantageous in orthopedic rehabilitation, with patients exhibiting significant improvements in psychological and functional outcomes after arthroplasty.27 Research has further established the feasibility and safety of employing immersive VR in older adults experiencing cognitive and physical impairments, with participants reporting increased relaxation and enjoyment.28 Moreover, VR has shown promise as a screening and training tool for cognitive impairment in older adults, with VR-based tasks demonstrating validity comparable to that of traditional paper-based assessments.29 Nonetheless, the standardization of VR environments and addressing issues such as usability and data privacy are essential for broader implementation in geriatric care settings.

Despite the potential benefits of VR in healthcare and education, its implementation is hindered by several barriers. High costs, technical complexity, and challenges in integration particularly affect its adoption in resource-limited settings.30,31 The absence of standardized protocols, validated metrics, and comprehensive training for educators and clinicians further hinders successful implementation.32 User-related issues, such as physical discomfort, cybersickness, and potential gender-specific responses to VR environments, are critical factors that require attention.33 It is essential to tailor VR content to diverse populations and effectively communicate its benefits to stakeholders.30 Additional challenges include the necessity for localized content, infrastructure limitations, and sociocultural resistance to new technologies.31 Notwithstanding these obstacles, VR holds considerable promise for enhancing educational experiences and supporting pain management interventions when properly integrated.30,32

Virtual reality (VR) holds significant potential in the healthcare sector, offering immersive solutions for patient education, therapy and rehabilitation.34 Research has demonstrated VR's effectiveness of VR in reducing anxiety, managing pain, and facilitating physical rehabilitation.35 In the context of fall prevention among older adults, VR and exergames have shown improvements in balance and physical function, potentially serving as a complement to traditional physiotherapy.36 However, the implementation of VR in clinical settings is fraught with challenges, including theoretical immaturity, a lack of technical standards, and practical issues.35 The technology's capacity to induce a sense of presence and embodiment through virtual avatars may enhance its therapeutic potential.37 Despite its promise, the efficacy of VR in cognitive and motor rehabilitation remains a subject of debate, with some studies highlighting its benefits, while others underscore the necessity for more rigorous research to establish its clinical significance.35,37

VR is increasingly recognized as a transformative technology in the field of telerehabilitation, particularly for orthopedic and neurological conditions.38,39 VR facilitates the creation of immersive and interactive environments that enhance patient engagement and improve rehabilitation outcomes.39,40 The integration of artificial intelligence with VR allows the development of personalized, adaptive treatment programs and the application of predictive analytics to optimize individual outcomes.39,40 Nonetheless, several challenges remain, including high implementation costs, technical barriers, and issues related to digital literacy and accessibility.38–40 The future of VR in telerehabilitation may involve the development of Internet-accessible libraries of VR scenarios for home-based therapy, although this vision is confronted with significant practical and technical obstacles.40 Addressing these challenges is essential for the widespread adoption of VR in rehabilitation.

VR has potential as a therapeutic modality for individuals with dementia, offering tailored cognitive stimulation and possible enhancements in quality of life. VR interventions can focus on specific cognitive domains and replicate familiar activities in controlled settings.41 Successful implementation necessitates a design that emphasizes physical comfort, multisensory engagement and personalization.42 VR experiences can foster emotional well-being and social interaction, with reported outcomes being either positive or neutral across various dimensions of well-being.43 The adaptability of the technology permits safe training in potentially hazardous situations and provides immediate feedback on performance.41 Employing participatory design approaches that involve patients and caregivers can facilitate the development of intelligent, personalized VR systems that improve symptom management and offer enriching experiences beyond the physical environment for patients with dementia in long-term care.44 Nonetheless, further research is required to standardize VR interventions and address potential obstacles, such as digital illiteracy among elderly users and healthcare professionals.

VR has demonstrated considerable potential in healthcare environments, particularly in the rehabilitation of patients with burns. Empirical studies indicate that VR-based interventions can substantially enhance the quality of life, work performance, and range of motion in individuals with burn injuries while concurrently reducing pain intensity and anxiety.45 The application of VR in healthcare extends beyond burn rehabilitation, offering immersive solutions for patient education, therapeutic interventions, and mental health treatment.34 The feasibility and acceptability of low-cost VR technology in outpatient burn care settings suggest its potential for broader implementation.46 Despite challenges such as hardware limitations and data security concerns, VR holds promise for revolutionizing patient-centered care and enhancing overall well-being.34 The expanding applications of VR in medicine, including surgical training and diagnostics, underscore its transformative impact on healthcare delivery and patient outcomes.47