Objective  To assess the impact of virtual reality (VR) technology on symptoms and quality of life in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS).

Methods  Web of Science, PubMed, Embase, The Cochrane Library, Wanfang, CNKI, CBM, and VIP databases were searched for randomized controlled trials of VR technology in-terventions for MS patients. The search was conducted from when the library was built until December 1, 2024. Data were analyzed using RevMan 5.4 software, the Cochrane Risk of Bias Assessment Tool was used to evaluate the quality of the literature, and the GRADE Evidence Classification System was used to assess the quality of outcome indicators.

Results  A total of 20 publications involving 881 patients were included, and the risk of literature bias was low to moderate. The test group was trained with VR technology and the control group was trained with conventional treatment or no intervention or exercise training. VR technology significantly improved Montreal Cognitive Assessment Scale scores (MD=1.34, 95%CI: 0.06~2.61, P=0.04), Symbol Digit Modalities Test scores (MD=5.30, 95%CI: 1.64~8.95, P=0.005), balance function (MD=2.45, 95%CI: 0.36~4.55, P=0.02), and quality of life (SMD=0.27, 95%CI: 0.09~0.46, P=0.004) of MS patients, but no significant change for depressive symptoms (SMD=-0.18, 95%CI: -0.41~0.06, P=0.15) and fatigue symptoms (SMD=-0.37, 95%CI: -0.80~0.07, P=0.10).

Conclusion  VR technology is effective in improving cognitive function, balance function, and quality of life in patients with MS, but is less effective in improving symptoms of depression and fatigue. However, the small sample size and lack of follow-up data in the literature included in this study require more high-quality randomized controlled trials to be conducted for validation in the future.

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