Publications

@article{Alayidi2025-xg,

title = {Exploring balance control mechanisms in people with multiple  sclerosis in virtual reality environment: a systematic review},

author = {Badriah Alayidi and Emad Al-Yahya and Donal McNally and Stephen P Morgan},

doi = {10.1186/s12984-025-01612-0},

year  = {2025},

date = {2025-04-01},

urldate = {2025-04-01},

journal = {J. Neuroeng. Rehabil.},

volume = {22},

number = {1},

pages = {75},

publisher = {Springer Science and Business Media LLC},

abstract = {BACKGROUND: Multiple sclerosis (MS) impairs balance control, 

 affecting mobility and quality of life. Virtual reality (VR) 

 offers a novel way to study balance mechanisms and potential 

 rehabilitation. This review examines balance control in MS 

 patients using VR, comparing responses in VR and non-VR settings 

 with those of healthy controls. METHODS: This systematic review 

 adhered to PRISMA guidelines. Comprehensive searches were 

 conducted across databases including PubMed, Web of Science, 

 Scopus, CINAHL, and ScienceDirect. Studies involving individuals 

 with MS were analyzed to explore population characteristics and 

 types of VR environments employed. Data extraction focused on 

 participant demographics, clinical profiles, VR configurations, 

 and reported outcomes. RESULTS: The potential value of VR 

 training in this population was explored via systematic review. 

 23 studies highlighted the potential of VR environments to 

 explore balance mechanisms in MS. Diverse VR types, ranging from 

 immersive to semi-immersive systems, were used to assess 

 postural control, functional balance outcomes, gait, and 

 mobility. Despite variability in methodologies and reported 

 outcomes, changes in functional measures such as gait and 

 balance were frequently observed. This variability underscores 

 the need for standardized protocols to enhance the comparability 

 and application of VR in MS rehabilitation. CONCLUSION: This 

 systematic review highlights the variability in assessed balance 

 response outcomes in PwMS.},

keywords = {Balance control mechanisms, Multiple sclerosis, Postural   balance, Postural control, Virtual reality},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}