A Systematic Mapping Study on the Joint Use of AI and VR in Stroke Care

Context. Stroke remains a leading cause of long-term disability, prompting growing interest in emerging technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) and virtual reality (VR) to improve treatments. The combination of AI’s adaptability and VR’s immersive environments holds promise for personalized, engaging, and scalable stroke care, though research in this area remains fragmented. Objective. This study provides an overview of current research on the combined use of AI and VR in stroke care, focusing on system types, clinical validation, technologies employed, and autonomy levels. Method. We conducted a systematic mapping study of papers published between 2014 and 2024. Results. We identified 73 relevant studies. Most systems are still in early prototype or usability-testing stages, with limited clinical validation and frequent human oversight. Technologies used are diverse, and longitudinal evaluations are rare. Conclusion. Significant research gaps persist, including limited validation, lack of pre-stroke applications, and fragmented tools. These findings offer guidance for developing more robust, clinically viable, and interoperable AI and VR systems for stroke care.