Use of virtual or augmented reality in informal caregivers of stroke survivors: rapid review
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.56294/gr2025110Keywords:
stroke, caregivers, virtual reality, augmented reality, simulation training e virtual reality exposure therapyAbstract
Introduction: The rehabilitation of a stroke survivor has an impact on activities of daily living, physical activity, social interaction and the quality of life. The use of virtual and augmented reality appears as a tool to be explored and incorporated into rehabilitation.
Objective: To identify evidence of the use of virtual reality or augmented reality in informal caregivers of stroke survivors.
Method: A Rapid Literature Review was carried out using the Cochrane Rapid Review Methods recommendations. Based on the PICo strategy, the following question was formulated: What is known about the use of virtual reality and augmented reality in informal caregivers of stroke survivors? The search was conducted through the EBSCOhost platform, in November 2024, with the 2017-2024 time frame being assumed.
Results: 8 articles were identified and 3 were included. The use of virtual reality/augmented reality in informal caregivers of stroke survivors revealed potential for empowerment and increased motivation, in addition to generate feelings of satisfaction and acceptance. Using virtual reality/augmented reality in informal caregivers for stroke survivors, allowed to identify barriers and facilitators of this technology.
Conclusions: The use of virtual reality and augmented reality in informal caregivers of stroke survivors is an emerging topic, with great potential for development. Due to the scarce evidence found, this rapid literature review does not allow generalizations, but suggests paths for future investigations, on a rising topic.
References
1. World Health Organization. Stroke, Cerebrovascular accident [Internet]. World Health Organization - Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean. 2022 [Cited 2025 Mar 3]. Available from: https://www.emro.who.int/health-topics/stroke-cerebrovascular-accident/index.html
2. Menoita EC, Sousa LM, Pão-Alvo I, Marques-Vieira C. Reabilitar a pessoa idosa com AVC: Contributos para um envelhecer resiliente. Lusodidacta; 2012 .
3. Ordem dos Enfermeiros. Regulamento n.º 392/2019, de 3 de maio. Diário da República n.º 85/2019 – Série II [Internet]. Lisboa: Diário da República; 2019 [Cited 2025 Mar 3]. 13565-13568. Available from: https://files.diariodarepublica.pt/2s/2019/05/085000000/1356513568.pdf
4. Costa FM. Efetividade de intervenção educativa virtual para cuidadores familiares na capacidade de cuidar de idosos após acidente vascular cerebral: ensaio pragmático randomizado. Tese apresentada à Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul para obtenção do título de Doutora em Enfermagem; 2024. [Cited 2025 Mar 3]. Available from: https://lume.ufrgs.br/handle/10183/279315
5. Instituto de Segurança Social. Estatuto do Cuidador Informal Principal e Cuidador Informal não Principal. 2024. [Cited 2025 Mar 3]. Available from: https://www.seg-social.pt/documents/10152/17083135/8004-Estatuto+Cuidador+Informal+Principal+e+Cuidador+Informal+n%C3%A3o+Principal/2efee047-c9ba-49c8-95f2-6df862c4b2c5
6. Chau JPC, Lo SHS, Lau AYL, Lee VWY, Choi KC, Kwok ECF, et al. Effects of a social participation-focused virtual reality intervention for community-dwelling stroke survivors with physical disabilities: a randomised controlled trial protocol. BMJ Open. 2022 Jul;12(7):e061069. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2022-061069
7. Foronda C, Lee J, Santiesteban Z. Use of Virtual Reality in Family Caregiver Education: A Literature Review. Comput Inform Nurs. 2023 Mar;41(3):125–7. https://doi.org/10.1097/CIN.0000000000001004
8. Garritty C, Gartlehner G, Nussbaumer-Streit B, King VJ, Hamel C, Kamel C, et al. Cochrane Rapid Reviews Methods Group Offers Evidence-Informed Guidance to Conduct Rapid Reviews. J. Clin. Epidemiol. 2021 Feb;130(130):13–22. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclinepi.2020.10.007
9. Sousa LD, Marques JM, Firmino CF, Frade F, Valentim OS, Antunes AV. Modelos de formulação da questão de investigação na prática baseada na evidência. Rev Inv Enferm. 2018; 23: 31-39. Available from: http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12253/1287
10. Apóstolo J. Síntese da evidência no contexto da translação da ciência. Coimbra, Portugal: Escola Superior de Enfermagem de Coimbra (ESEnfC); 2017[Cited 2025 Mar 3]. Available from:http://id.bnportugal.gov.pt/bib/bibnacional/2125348
11. Moher D, Liberati A, Tetzlaff J, Altman DG. Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses: the PRISMA Statement. PLoS Med. 2009 Jul 21;6(7). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1000097
12. Joanna Briggs Institute, Joanna Briggs Institute. Reviewers’ manual: 2014 edition. Adelaide: JBI. 2014. [Cited 2025 Mar 3]. Available from: Http://Joannabriggs.org/Assets/Docs/Sumari/Reviewersmanual-2014.Pdf
13. Melnyk BM, Fineout-Overholt E. 1 Making the Case for Evidence-Based Practice and Cultivating; 2022. [Cited 2025 Mar 3]. Available from: https://assets.foleon.com/eu-central-1/de-uploads-7e3kk3/16293/9781975185732_evidence-based_practice_in_nursing__healthcare_sam.5700125f8ecf.pdf
14. Thompson-Butel AG, Shiner CT, McGhee J, Bailey BJ, Bou-Haidar P, McCorriston M, et al. The Role of Personalized Virtual Reality in Education for Patients Post Stroke—A Qualitative Case Series. J. Stroke Cerebrovasc. Dis. 2019 Feb;28(2):450–7. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jstrokecerebrovasdis.2018.10.018
15. Boone AE, Morgan KA, Engsberg JR. A new combined motor and cognitive strategy training intervention for stroke: Stakeholder perceptions. Br J Occup Ther. 2017 Dec;80(12):726-34. https://doi.org/10.1177/0308022617714748
16. Morse H, Biggart L, Pomeroy V, Rossit S. Exploring perspectives from stroke survivors, carers and clinicians on virtual reality as a precursor to using telerehabilitation for spatial neglect post-stroke. Neuropsychol. Rehabil. 2022 May 28;32(5):767-91. https://doi.org/10.1080/09602011.2020.1819827
17. Maasland L, Brouwer-Goossensen D, den Hertog HM, Koudstaal PJ, Dippel DWJ. Health education in patients with a recent stroke or transient ischaemic attack: a comprehensive review. Int J Stroke. 2011 Feb 1;6(1):67–74. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1747-4949.2010.00541.x
18. Rocha GC, Schmidt D, Schaan CW, Rossato D. Efeitos da utilização da realidade virtual não imersiva na reabilitação de membro superior de pacientes acometidos por AVC em um hospital público de Porto Alegre. Clin. biomed. res. 2021:53-6. [Cited 2025 Mar 3]. Available from: https://seer.ufrgs.br/index.php/hcpa/article/view/104737
19. da Cruz TH, Tatsch PN, Piccin C, Machado LG, Chaves OC, Girardon-Perlini NM. Dificuldades enfrentadas por cuidadores familiares de pacientes acometidos por acidente vascular encefálico. Revista Rede de Cuidados em Saúde. 2017 Jul 26;11(1) [Cited 2025 Mar 3]. Available from: https://publicacoes.unigranrio.edu.br/rcs/article/view/4506
20. Eames S, Hoffmann T, Worrall L, Read S, Wong A. Randomised controlled trial of an education and support package for stroke patients and their carers. BMJ open. 2013 Jan 1;3(5):e002538. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2012-002538
21. Willems EMG, Vermeulen J, van Haastregt JCM, Zijlstra GAR. Technologies to improve the participation of stroke patients in their home environment. Disabil Rehabil. 2021 Oct 5;44(23):7116–7126. https://doi.org/10.1080/09638288.2021.1983041
22. Costa FM, Canto DF, Felipe LT, Rosset I, Paskulin LM. Intervenções de educação para capacitação de cuidadores de sobreviventes de acidente vascular cerebral: scoping review. TextoContexto-Enferm. 2024 Nov 11;33:e20240111. [Cited 2025 Mar 3]. Available from: https://www.scielo.br/j/tce/a/JFSSQFFh5BZQrqzTcXvzyJN/?format=pdf&lang=pt
23. Kokorelias KM, Chiu M, Paul S, Zhu L, Choudhury N, Craven CG, et al. Use of Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality Technologies to Support Resilience and Skill-Building in Caregivers of Persons With Dementia: A Scoping Review. Cureus. 2024 Jul 8;16(7):e64082. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.64082
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Cláudia Ferreira , Sónia Raposo , Manuel Cardoso , Vera Esteves , Isabel Rabiais , João Tomás , Sandy Severino , Helena José , Luís Sousa (Author)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
The article is distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License. Unless otherwise stated, associated published material is distributed under the same licence.
