Fully immersive virtual reality exergames with dual-task components for patients with Parkinson's disease: a feasibility study.
Seo Jung Yun, Sung Eun Hyun, Byung-Mo Oh and 1 others
PMID 37464349WHAT IT FOUND
Twelve patients with Parkinson's disease completed a seated virtual reality boxing and stepping program without dropouts or serious side effects.
Balance and executive function scores improved significantly, but walking speed and dual-task interference did not reach statistical significance.
Key findings
01All 12 participants completed the 10-session intervention with no dropouts and only one mild adverse event (blurred vision).
02Berg Balance Scale scores improved significantly from a median of 49.50 to 51.00.
03Improvements in Timed Up and Go walking times under single and dual-task conditions were not statistically significant.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTsWhat it means for OTs
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What it does not show
The study was a single-arm feasibility trial with a very small sample size (n=12) and no control group, so improvements cannot be definitively attributed to the VR intervention rather than natural variation or practice effects. The intervention intensity (5 hours total over 3-4 weeks) was lower than the 2-3 hours per week for 6-14 weeks typically recommended for intensive exercise in Parkinson's disease, which may explain the lack of significant motor outcomes. The games were performed while seated, which limits the generalizability of the results to standing balance and dynamic gait training. One participant could not complete the Trail Making Test Part B due to cognitive impairment, reducing the sample size for that specific measure.
Declared interests
The study was funded by the Seoul National University Hospital Research Fund. The authors declared no other conflicts of interest.
The easy way to misread this
Do not interpret the significant improvements in balance and executive function as proof that this VR program effectively treats gait disturbances or Parkinson's motor symptoms overall. The primary motor outcome, TUG walking time, did not improve significantly, and the study lacked a control group to rule out placebo or practice effects.