Integrating Virtual Reality with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to Reduce Phantom Limb Pain: Approach in Orthopedic Rehabilitation
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.65745/soj.v1.i1.12Keywords:
Phantom limb pain; VR-CBT; Orthopedic rehabilitation; Bibliometric analysisAbstract
Phantom limb pain (PLP) remains a persistent and multifaceted challenge in orthopedic rehabilitation, often resistant to conventional treatments such as pharmacotherapy and mirror therapy. This study explores the integration of Virtual Reality (VR) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) into a unified VR-CBT intervention as a promising and patient-centered approach to PLP management. Through a systematic literature review and bibliometric analysis of studies published between 2015 and 2025, this research evaluates both the clinical effectiveness and the evolving thematic landscape of VR-CBT applications. Findings indicate that VR-CBT can reduce pain intensity by approximately 30–50%, improve rehabilitation adherence, and address psychological factors associated with chronic pain. Bibliometric mapping further reveals a growing research trend toward interactive, immersive, and psychosocially integrated interventions, with recent emphasis on terms like “augmented reality,” “video game,” and “quality of life.” Despite these promising developments, gaps remain in protocol standardization and large-scale clinical validation. This review underscores the urgent need for rigorous, high-quality studies to establish VR-CBT as a viable and scalable solution within modern orthopedic rehabilitation.
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