Evaluating the Impact of a Meta Quest 3 Gamified VR Rehabilitation Program in Knee Osteoarthritis

This randomized controlled trial will evaluate the impact of a gamified virtual reality (VR) rehabilitation program using the Meta Quest 3 device on pain, functionality, disability, and balance in individuals with knee osteoarthritis (OA). The study aims to address the limitations of traditional physical therapy by integrating immersive and engaging VR exercises to enhance patient adherence and therapeutic outcomes.

Eligible participants will be adults aged 40-64 years diagnosed with stage 2 or 3 knee OA based on the American College of Rheumatology criteria. Participants will be randomized into two groups: an experimental group receiving VR-based rehabilitation in addition to conventional physical therapy, and a control group receiving only conventional therapy. Both groups will undergo a 3-week intervention, consisting of 15 sessions conducted five times weekly.

The experimental group will use the Meta Quest 3 VR device for a gamified exercise program, incorporating two key modules:

Fruit Ninja VR - This module will focus on upper and lower body coordination, proprioception, and reaction time through interactive slicing motions.

PowerBeats VR - This module will emphasize endurance, knee stability, and functional coordination via rhythm-based punching and dodging activities.

Both modules are designed to engage participants in dynamic movements that promote balance, proprioception, and functional stability, tailored to address the needs of individuals with knee OA. The control group will receive conventional therapy alone, including exercises, ultrasound, and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS).

Outcome measures will be assessed at baseline, immediately post-intervention (3 weeks), and at follow-up (7 weeks). These include:

Pain: Visual Analog Scale (VAS) Functionality: Six-Minute Walk Test (6MWT) Disability: Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC) Balance: Berg Balance Scale (BBS) The trial hypothesizes that the experimental group will demonstrate superior improvements in pain, functionality, disability, and balance compared to the control group. Statistical analyses will include repeated measures ANOVA to assess differences across time points and between groups.

Ethical approval has been obtained from the Umm Al-Qura University Biomedical Research Ethics Committee, and informed consent will be secured from all participants before participation. This study aims to contribute to the growing body of evidence supporting the integration of VR technologies into rehabilitation practices, particularly for musculoskeletal conditions like knee OA.

Inclusion criteria

• Age: 40-64 years
• Diagnosis: Knee OA (Stages 2 or 3 based on American College of Rheumatology criteria)
• Ability to read and understand Arabic

Exclusion criteria

• Recent lower extremity surgery/fractures
• Other rheumatologic or cardiovascular conditions
• Visual/auditory impairments
• Dizziness or vertigo