Date of Award
2018
Degree Type
Selective Evidence-Based Medicine Review
Degree Name
Master of Science in Health Sciences - Physician Assistant
Department
Physician Assistant Studies
Department Chair
John Cavenagh, MBA, PhD, PA-C
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not virtual reality based rehabilitation programs have a positive impact on the quality of life of people with MS.
STUDY DESIGN: Review of 2 randomized control trials (RCTs) and one randomized control cross over pilot study written in English, two of which were published in 2013 and one in 2016.
DATA SOURCES: Two randomized control trials (RCTs) and one randomized control cross over pilot study, all three non-blind, published in peer-reviewed journals found via PubMed.
OUTCOME MEASURED: Quality of life was measured via Falls Efficacy Scale- International, Modified Fatigue Impact Scale, and MS Impact Scale- 29 (MSIS-29).
RESULTS: All three studies showed a significant improvement quality of life in MS patients with virtual reality based training compared to conventional therapy or no physical therapy.
CONCLUSION: All three studies showed that there was an increase in the quality of life in patients with MS with use of VR based training. However, further studies with larger sample sizes that examine a uniform specialized MS VR program will be needed to reinforce the conclusion that virtual reality based training is effective in improving quality of life in adults with MS.
Recommended Citation
Leise, Megan, "Can a virtual reality-based rehabilitation program have a positive impact on the quality of life of adults with Multiple Sclerosis (MS)?" (2018). PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship. 336.
https://digitalcommons.pcom.edu/pa_systematic_reviews/336