Advantages of using 3D virtual reality based training in persons with Parkinson's disease: a parallel study.
Imre Cikajlo, Karmen Peterlin Potisk
PMID 31623622WHAT IT FOUND
Compared with a 2D screen, a 3D headset did not show a clear clinical test advantage in Parkinson's disease.
It was more motivating and led to faster task performance, while both groups improved.
Key findings
01Both groups improved on clinical tests of upper-limb function after the virtual training was added to usual neurotherapeutic treatment.
02The 3D group manipulated each cube faster and placed more cubes than the 2D group in the last session.
03The 3D group reported greater perceived competence and effort/importance, while the 2D group reported less pressure/tension.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for OTs
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What it does not show
Only 20 eligible participants were included after assessing 97 patients, so the study is small and may not support firm clinical conclusions. The clinical test changes between 2D and 3D were not statistically significant, so the study does not show that 3D is clinically better. All participants received the same usual neurotherapeutic treatment and unchanged medication, so improvement cannot be separated from concurrent therapy. Participants needed Mini Mental State Examination 25 or higher, Hoehn and Yahr level 2 to 3, no stereopsis or motion sickness, and suitable glasses; results may not apply to more severe disease or more cognitive impairment. The tremor indicator and motivation questionnaire are custom or not necessarily ideal for group comparisons, and the paper notes essential tremor versus Parkinson's tremor is challenging. Outcomes were measured only up to one day after training, so longer-term effects are unknown.
Declared interests
The supplied text lists funding by the European Regional Development Fund and Javna Agencija za Raziskovalno Dejavnost RS. It does not give an author competing-interests declaration.
The easy way to misread this
Do not conclude that the 3D headset is clinically superior to the 2D screen. The clinical test changes were similar, and the paper reports no statistically significant between-group difference on Box and Blocks or upper-limb UPDRS scores.