OBJECTIVE: To synthesize the current evidence on technology-based physical rehabilitation for balance in people with multiple sclerosis and to compare its effectiveness with that of conventional physical therapy. DATA SOURCES: A comprehensive search of databases including CENTRAL Scopus, CINAHL, PsycINFO, PubMed, and PEDro was conducted up to March 2024. STUDY SELECTION: Studies were selected based on predefined inclusion criteria. DATA EXTRACTION: Data extraction and quality assessment were performed independently by 2 reviewers. Statistical analyses were conducted using a random effects model. DATA SYNTHESIS: A total of 24 studies involving 985 participants were included. The meta-analysis revealed that compared with conventional physical therapy, technology-based physical rehabilitation significantly improved balance outcomes by 0.16 (95% CI 0.04 to 0.29; p = 0.027) with moderate heterogeneity (I2 39.1%). Subgroup analyses were performed by intervention modality (robotic assistive gait training, exergaming, and telerehabilitation), and only exergaming interventions had a medium effect on balance in this population of 0.29 (95% CI 0.08 to 0.251; p = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Among technology-based physical rehabilitation approaches, exergaming interventions have shown promising effectiveness in improving balance in people with multiple sclerosis. Despite the moderate heterogeneity, the findings support the use of exergaming as a viable option. Further high-quality randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm these results.

Full text (sometimes free) may be available at these link(s):      help

• DOI
• PubMed
• PDF locator
• publisher