Realidade virtual aplicada à reabilitação cardiopulmonar de pacientes ambulatoriais: revisão integrativa da literatura

Abstract

Introduction: Virtual reality (VR) has been incorporated into physical therapy as a complementary therapeutic tool, promoting greater engagement and adherence to treatment. In the context of outpatient cardiopulmonary rehabilitation, VR may represent an effective alternative for managing conditions such as heart failure (HF) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which continue to have a significant impact on the Brazilian healthcare system. Objective: To evaluate the applicability and effects of virtual reality in cardiopulmonary rehabilitation programs for outpatient care. Methods: An integrative literature review was conducted using the PubMed, SciELO, LILACS, and PEDro databases, covering the period from 2015 to 2025. Studies were included if they associated VR with cardiopulmonary rehabilitation, scored ≥5 on the PEDro scale, and were conducted in outpatient settings. The PEDro scale was used to assess the methodological quality of the studies. Results: Four studies were included. All demonstrated benefits from the use of VR, such as improved functional capacity, reduced dyspnea, and increased treatment adherence. VR was used in both non-immersive forms (e.g., Xbox with Kinect) and immersive formats (e.g., Meta Quest 2). Notably, patients with COPD and persistent post-COVID-19 symptoms showed better outcomes when VR was combined with conventional physical therapy. Conclusion: VR is a promising and feasible strategy for outpatient cardiopulmonary rehabilitation, especially when combined with conventional treatment. However, further studies with higher methodological rigor, larger sample sizes, and standardized protocols are necessary to confirm its effectiveness and safety.