Does Virtual Reality Help Parkinson's Patients Improve Balance?
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Presenter(s)
Brooke Penaz
Abstract
Clinical Scenario
Parkinson's Disease poses a significant challenge, often leading to balance impairments that can severely impact quality of life. Traditional physical rehabilitation has been a cornerstone in managing these balance issues, but the advent of virtual reality (VR) training introduces an intriguing alternative. The purpose of this study is to investigate the comparative effectiveness of VR training versus conventional physical rehabilitation in enhancing balance among older adults diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease. This research aims to address the growing demand for innovative interventions that could potentially offer more engaging and impactful solutions for improving balance outcomes in Parkinson's patients.
Clinical Question
In older adults with Parkinson’s Disease, what is the effect of virtual reality training compared to conventional physical rehabilitation on balance?
Search Strategy
Inclusion criteria were randomized controlled trials that included individuals with Parkinson’s disease ranging between 50 to 85 years old. Exclusion criteria were other causes of tremor, bone or joint disease, and visual or hearing disorders. A PubMed database search with the following terms: "virtual reality rehabilitation," "Parkinson’s disease," "balance," and "traditional rehabilitation,” yielded eight research studies.
Evidence-Quality Assessment
PEDro scale scores ranged between 6/10 to 9/10. The Oxford Levels of Evidence score is 1b.
Results and Summary
Four studies demonstrated significant differences of balance (P < .001-P0.009-P>0.05) between the interventions. Outcome measures included the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and Activity-Specific Balance Confidence Scale (ABC).
The strengths of the research include demonstrating that virtual reality rehabilitation for patients with Parkinson's disease can lead to similar or greater improvements in balance compared to conventional rehabilitation, while also providing patients with more enjoyable and interactive training experiences. Limitations of the studies included a non-crossover design, a small sample size, lack of blinding of therapists in the conventional exercise group, short follow-up testing of 2 weeks, and the complexity of VR programs.
Clinical Bottom Line
While VR rehabilitation offers a promising avenue for improving balance, it is not significantly different from conventional physical rehabilitation. SORT Score B.
Implications
The study's findings have several implications for clinical practice, education, and research. Healthcare practitioners may consider integrating VR training into their conventional rehabilitation approaches for older adults with Parkinson's disease who have issues with balance, given its positive impact. This not only adds variety to interventions but also addresses the reported increase in enjoyment and interactivity during VR training. Future studies could delve into refining VR programs for better long-term outcomes and overcoming the identified limitations, thus contributing to the evolving landscape of Parkinson's Disease care.
College
College of Nursing & Health Sciences
Department
Health, Exercise & Rehabilitative Sciences
Campus
Winona
First Advisor/Mentor
Brian Zeller
Second Advisor/Mentor
Nora Kraemer
Third Advisor/Mentor
Brandon Donahue
Presentation Type
Oral Presentation
Format of Presentation or Performance
Pre-Recorded Video
Metadata Creation Responsibility
Brooke Penaz
Does Virtual Reality Help Parkinson's Patients Improve Balance?
Clinical Scenario
Parkinson's Disease poses a significant challenge, often leading to balance impairments that can severely impact quality of life. Traditional physical rehabilitation has been a cornerstone in managing these balance issues, but the advent of virtual reality (VR) training introduces an intriguing alternative. The purpose of this study is to investigate the comparative effectiveness of VR training versus conventional physical rehabilitation in enhancing balance among older adults diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease. This research aims to address the growing demand for innovative interventions that could potentially offer more engaging and impactful solutions for improving balance outcomes in Parkinson's patients.
Clinical Question
In older adults with Parkinson’s Disease, what is the effect of virtual reality training compared to conventional physical rehabilitation on balance?
Search Strategy
Inclusion criteria were randomized controlled trials that included individuals with Parkinson’s disease ranging between 50 to 85 years old. Exclusion criteria were other causes of tremor, bone or joint disease, and visual or hearing disorders. A PubMed database search with the following terms: "virtual reality rehabilitation," "Parkinson’s disease," "balance," and "traditional rehabilitation,” yielded eight research studies.
Evidence-Quality Assessment
PEDro scale scores ranged between 6/10 to 9/10. The Oxford Levels of Evidence score is 1b.
Results and Summary
Four studies demonstrated significant differences of balance (P < .001-P0.009-P>0.05) between the interventions. Outcome measures included the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and Activity-Specific Balance Confidence Scale (ABC).
The strengths of the research include demonstrating that virtual reality rehabilitation for patients with Parkinson's disease can lead to similar or greater improvements in balance compared to conventional rehabilitation, while also providing patients with more enjoyable and interactive training experiences. Limitations of the studies included a non-crossover design, a small sample size, lack of blinding of therapists in the conventional exercise group, short follow-up testing of 2 weeks, and the complexity of VR programs.
Clinical Bottom Line
While VR rehabilitation offers a promising avenue for improving balance, it is not significantly different from conventional physical rehabilitation. SORT Score B.
Implications
The study's findings have several implications for clinical practice, education, and research. Healthcare practitioners may consider integrating VR training into their conventional rehabilitation approaches for older adults with Parkinson's disease who have issues with balance, given its positive impact. This not only adds variety to interventions but also addresses the reported increase in enjoyment and interactivity during VR training. Future studies could delve into refining VR programs for better long-term outcomes and overcoming the identified limitations, thus contributing to the evolving landscape of Parkinson's Disease care.
