Remapping Body Representation Using Virtual Reality in Chronic Neuropathic Pain: Systematic Review

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dc.authorid0000-0002-6229-6463
dc.authorid0000-0001-8303-8386
dc.authorid0000-0003-1485-6590
dc.authorid0000-0002-3284-9741
dc.authorid0000-0003-0757-2389
dc.authorid0009-0006-5012-4425
dc.contributor.authorMaggio, Maria Grazia
dc.contributor.authorBonanno, Mirjam
dc.contributor.authorCalderone, Andrea
dc.contributor.authorRizzo, Amelia
dc.contributor.authorBulut, Nebahat
dc.contributor.authorBahramizadeh, Mahmood
dc.contributor.authorBenenati, Alessandra
dc.date.accessioned2026-01-31T15:09:02Z
dc.date.available2026-01-31T15:09:02Z
dc.date.issued2025
dc.departmentİstanbul Beykent Üniversitesi
dc.description.abstractBackground: Chronic neuropathic pain (CNP) is a common consequence of neurological conditions such as spinal cord injury (SCI), complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), and phantom limb pain (PLP). These conditions are often associated with distorted body representation (BR) and altered sensory processing. Virtual reality (VR) offers immersive, multisensory experiences that can modulate attention, recalibrate BR, and potentially alleviate pain. Objective: This systematic review aims to synthesize evidence on the use of VR-based interventions for managing CNP in patients with neurological conditions. It explores how VR can influence pain perception through body remapping. Furthermore, this review seeks to identify gaps in current research, offering recommendations for future research directions and clinical applications. Methods: We performed a comprehensive literature search in PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus for studies published between January 2014 and December 2024. We included original studies that examined VR interventions in patients with neurological conditions and CNP, assessing pain reduction, improvements in BR, or functional recovery. We excluded reviews, animal model studies, migraine-related studies, and those lacking a clear VR intervention or relevant clinical outcome data. The quality of the included studies was evaluated using the revised Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool for Randomized Trials and the Cochrane Risk of Bias in Nonrandomized Studies of Interventions tool. Given the heterogeneity in study design, VR protocols, and outcome measures, a qualitative synthesis approach was adopted based on the synthesis without meta-analysis framework. Results: Ten studies-both randomized controlled trials and uncontrolled experimental designs-met the inclusion criteria. These studies focused on the application of VR in SCI (n=4, 40%), CRPS (n=4, 40%), and PLP (n=2, 20%), using interventions such as immersive VR, mirror visual feedback, visuotactile stimulation, and virtual body illusions. Sample sizes ranged from 9 to 70 participants, with varying degrees of neurological impairment. Most of the studies (n=7, 70%) reported substantial reductions in pain intensity and improvements in embodiment and perceived body ownership. In SCI, combining VR with neuromodulation techniques enhanced analgesic effects. In CRPS, modifying the visual appearance of the affected limb improved body image and decreased pain perception. In PLP, kinesthetic and visual feedback delivered through VR environments significantly reduced Conclusions: Overall, the quality of evidence ranged from moderate to low, mainly due to small sample sizes, protocol to reduce pain and enhance functional outcomes in populations with neurological conditions. Future research should focus on developing standardized protocols and conducting large-scale, high-quality trials to validateVR's long-term efficacy and integration into routine clinical practice.
dc.description.sponsorshipCurrent Research Funds [2024-2025]; Ministry of Health, Italy
dc.description.sponsorshipThis study was supported by Current Research Funds 2024-2025, Ministry of Health, Italy.
dc.identifier.doi10.2196/71074
dc.identifier.issn1439-4456
dc.identifier.issn1438-8871
dc.identifier.pmid40341015
dc.identifier.scopus2-s2.0-105007790371
dc.identifier.scopusqualityQ1
dc.identifier.urihttps://doi.org./10.2196/71074
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12662/10787
dc.identifier.volume27
dc.identifier.wosWOS:001513740800011
dc.identifier.wosqualityQ1
dc.indekslendigikaynakWeb of Science
dc.indekslendigikaynakScopus
dc.indekslendigikaynakPubMed
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisherJmir Publications, Inc
dc.relation.ispartofJournal of Medical Internet Research
dc.relation.publicationcategoryMakale - Uluslararası Hakemli Dergi - Kurum Öğretim Elemanı
dc.rightsinfo:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
dc.snmzKA_WoS_20260128
dc.subjectvirtual reality
dc.subjectchronic neuropathic pain
dc.subjectpatients with neurological conditions
dc.subjectremapping body representation
dc.subjectpain modulation
dc.subjectpain management
dc.titleRemapping Body Representation Using Virtual Reality in Chronic Neuropathic Pain: Systematic Review
dc.typeReview Article

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