Effect of Virtual Reality-Based Training on Pulmonary Functions and Quality of Life in Patients with COPD

Background: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a frequent cause for death worldwide. It is identified by dyspnea, cough, increased sputum, and exhaustion, brought on by a decrease in physical activity, sleep issues, social isolation, anxiety, and despair. Virtual reality (VR) games are suggested as an alternate or supplemental activity to traditional pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) programs, which aid in illness management by enhancing patients' functional ability and quality of life (QoL).
Objectives: This study aimed to determine the efficacy of combining VR with a standard PR program in COPD patients.
Materials and subjects: 60 male and female patients with COPD with a mean age of 57.75±1.695 years were recruited for a randomized controlled trial (RCT) from August 2024 to March 2025. They were distributed into 2 groups: Group A received a VR intervention with the ordinary PR program, and group B received PR only for 10 weeks.
Results: VR enhances PR outcomes. While both groups benefited from PR, group A (with VR) showed slightly better improvements in 6MWD, HR, and oxygenation, suggesting that VR can enhance engagement and efficiency of pulmonary rehabilitation. Oxygenation and exercise capacity remain impaired, despite improvements, in COPD patients, highlighting the chronic nature of COPD and the need for continuous rehabilitation efforts. Significant reductions in dyspnea and fatigue scores post-PR demonstrate the impact of the PR program in enhancing patient QoL. While exercise capacity improved, lung function parameters (FEV1, FVC) showed minimal change, indicating that PR mainly improved functional capacity rather than reversing lung damage. Overall, the two groups indicated significant enhancement in 6MWD, oxygen saturation (SpO₂), heart rate (HR), and dyspnea and fatigue symptoms after PR. However, Group B exhibited slightly greater improvements in 6MWD and SpO₂, suggesting a potential advantage in their response to rehabilitation. Conclusion: As VR rehabilitation programs securely allow for individualized rehabilitation and the capacity to customize exercise regimens to patients' demands, they may improve adherence and participation among COPD patients and improve the efficacy of PR.