Given the reported possible benefits of OKS there is a need for an exploration of possible rationales for using OKS and the potential target population that will benefit from this. The aim of this scoping review is to review available literature to map out the use of optokinetic stimulation (OKS) in neurological rehabilitation, critically appraise the quality of available selected studies to determine the quality of current evidence and discuss knowledge gaps.
The scoping review was guided by the PRISMA extension for scoping reviews. A total of six databases were searched including PubMed, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, PEDro, CINAHL Complete and Web of Science from 2000 to 2024 . Randomised controlled trials, case reports, case studies, qualitative studies, quantitative and mixed method studies considering the effect of optokinetic stimulation in any neurological population were considered. Study quality was assessed with PEDro tool, CASP for systematic reviews and JBI critical appraisal tools were used to critically appraise the selected studies, depending on the methodologies.
157 articles were identified and screened for eligibility. 17 studies were included for analysis providing a sample size of 913 participants, of which 546 received optokinetic stimulation and 856 had a neurological condition. From the literature, we determined that OKS is used as an intervention in the rehabilitation of dizziness, loss of balance, neglect disorders and functional loss and as an assessment tool for visual sensitivity. The effectiveness of OKS was varied, and the quality of evidence was generally low. There was a consensus that more high-quality research is required in OKS literature.
OKS is used to rehabilitate the effects of neurological conditions and there is low-quality evidence to support its use. There is a need for high-quality randomised controlled trials investigating OKS as an intervention in neurological rehabilitation.
There is a need for more studies
Rehabilitation
Optokinetic stimulation
