ABSTRACT
Background: Multiple sclerosis presents a significant burden, with balance disturbances impacting patients' daily living. Conventional therapies have been supplemented with technological advancements like virtual reality (VR) and exergaming, providing engaging, multisensory rehabilitation options. Objective: This study aimed to synthesize evidence on exergaming's role in multiple sclerosis treatment, particularly to evaluate the impact of exergaming on cognitive, motor, and psychological outcomes in patients with multiple sclerosis. Methods: A systematic review and subsequent meta-analysis design were employed. An extensive search was conducted up to June 2023 across five electronic databases - Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed, Cochrane, and EMBASE. The data extraction process from the selected studies was conducted independently. The risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias Assessment Tool 1 (ROB1) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) assessment tool. Continuous outcomes were consolidated as mean differences (MD) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Meta-analyses were performed using RevMan ver. 5.4. Results: Out of 1,029 studies, 27 were included for meta-analysis. There were no significant differences in cognitive outcomes between the exergaming and the no-intervention group or the Conventional Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation interventions (CPRh) subgroups. However, the Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT) showed a statistically significant difference in favor of exergaming in the no-intervention subgroup (MD = 5.40, 95% CI [0.08, 10.72], p = 0.05). In motor outcomes, exergaming only demonstrated better results in the 6-minute walking test compared to the no-intervention group (MD = 25.53, 95% CI [6.87, 44.19], p = 0.007). The Berg Balance Scale score in both studied subgroups and the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test in the no-intervention group favored exergaming. In terms of psychological outcomes, the Beck Depression Inventory did not reveal any significant differences, while the Modified Fatigue Impact Scale (MFIS) score favored exergaming in the CPRh subgroup. Conclusion: Exergaming shows promise for enhancing cognitive and motor functions, motivation, adherence, and quality of life in MS patients, which is beneficial for nurses. It can be tailored to individual preferences and easily conducted at home, potentially serving as a viable alternative to traditional rehab programs, especially during relapses. However, further research is necessary to fully understand its optimal and lasting benefits.
ABSTRACT
Sickle cell crisis, or vaso-occlusive crisis, is a painful complication of sickle cell disease that occurs in adolescents and adults, which is considered the most common reason these patients seek medical attention in an emergency room. Despite the high prevalence of sickle cell disease in the Jazan region, Saudi Arabia, there hasn't been a study looking at nursing students' knowledge about sickle cell disease and home management and prevention of vaso-occlusive crises associated with sickle cell disease. Most of those focused on the investigation of the public, parents of children with sickle cell disease, school students, and patients with sickle cell disease. Therefore, this study aims to assess the level of knowledge about home management and prevention of vaso-occlusive crises among Saudi nursing students at the Aldayer University College, Jazan University, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. A descriptive cross-sectional design was used in this study that involved 167 nursing students. The study revealed that Aldayer nursing students had adequate knowledge about the home management and prevention of sickle cell disease vaso-occlusive crises.
