Can Immersive Virtual Reality Videogames Help Parkinson’s Disease Patients? A Case Study

Video games have proven useful in physical rehabilitation therapy. Accessibility, however, is limited for some groups such as the elderly or patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD). We explore the potential of fully immersive video games as a rehabilitation tool in PD patients. Four patients with mild-moderate PD (3 males:1 female, 53–71 years) participated in the study. Training consisted in two immersive virtual reality video gaming sessions. Outcomes were evaluated using System Usability Scale (SUS), Simulator Sickness Questionnaire (SSQ), Game Experience Questionnaire-post game (GEQ), an ad hoc satisfaction questionnaire and perceived effort. All participants completed the sessions without adverse effects (100%), without SSQ symptoms reported. Post-gaming SUS was >75% in both sessions (range 75–80%). Post-gaming GEQ scores were 3.3–4.0/4 in both sessions. Immersive virtual reality video gaming is feasible in patients with mild-moderate PD, with positive usability and patient satisfaction, and no adverse effects.

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Immersive Virtual Reality Exergame Promotes the Practice of Physical Activity in Older People: An Opportunity during COVID-19

Multimodal Technologies and Interaction ◽

10.3390/mti5090052 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 5 (9) ◽

pp. 52

Author(s):

Pablo Campo-Prieto ◽

Gustavo Rodríguez-Fuentes ◽

José Mª Cancela-Carral

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Virtual Reality ◽

Physical Exercise ◽

Older People ◽

Ad Hoc ◽

The Elderly ◽

Current Situation ◽

Immersive Virtual Reality ◽

System Usability Scale ◽

The Impact

Life expectancy has increased in recent years. Physical activity has been postulated as a key element in active aging strategies. However, adherence to physical exercise programs has traditionally been low among the elderly, and the current situation of the COVID-19 pandemic has added extra impediments. Immersive virtual reality (IVR) devices could motivate this population to practice exercise. This study aimed to analyse the use of IVR exergames as a tool to facilitate physical exercise in older people. Four healthy older adults (males, 65–77 years) participated in the study. They carried out two exergaming sessions with HTC Vive ProTM. Outcomes were evaluated using the Simulator Sickness Questionnaire (SSQ), System Usability Scale (SUS), Game Experience Questionnaire (GEQ post-game module), an ad hoc satisfaction questionnaire, and perceived effort. All participants completed the sessions without adverse effects, with no SSQ symptoms reported. SUS scores were high in both sessions (SUS > 85/100). Post-game GEQ scores were 3.08–3.41/4 (positive experiences) and 0.08–0.16/4 (negative experiences). Opinions showed high levels of satisfaction with the experience. Exergaming programs, based on commercial head-mounted displays, are a feasible alternative to traditional senior exercise, and could be a solution to the current situation that has arisen from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Visual Hallucinations as Incidental Negative Effects of Virtual Reality on Parkinson’s Disease Patients: A Link with Neurodegeneration?

Parkinson s Disease ◽

10.1155/2015/194629 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 2015 ◽

pp. 1-6 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Giovanni Albani ◽

Elisa Pedroli ◽

Pietro Cipresso ◽

Daniel Bulla ◽

Veronica Cimolin ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Parkinson’S Disease ◽

Parkinson's Disease ◽

Virtual Reality ◽

Clinical History ◽

Immersive Virtual Reality ◽

Visual Hallucinations ◽

Negative Effects ◽

Limited Sample ◽

Limited Sample Size ◽

Immersive Systems

We followed up a series of 23 Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients who had performed an immersive virtual reality (VR) protocol eight years before. On that occasion, six patients incidentally described visual hallucinations (VH) with occurrences of images not included in the virtual environment. Curiously, in the following years, only these patients reported the appearance of VH later in their clinical history, while the rest of the group did not. Even considering the limited sample size, we may argue that VR immersive systems can induce unpleasant effects in PD patients who are predisposed to a cognitive impairment.

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Biomechanical and human behavior assessment using virtual reality to challenge balance and posture for the elderly and patients with Parkinson’s disease

Computer Methods in Biomechanics & Biomedical Engineering ◽

10.1080/10255842.2017.1382901 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 20 (sup1) ◽

pp. S141-S142

Author(s):

F. Muhla ◽

F. Clanché ◽

C. Rose ◽

A. Cosson ◽

G. Gauchard

Keyword(s):

Parkinson’S Disease ◽

Parkinson's Disease ◽

Virtual Reality ◽

Human Behavior ◽

The Elderly ◽

Behavior Assessment

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Design and Development of a Virtual Reality-Based Mobility Training Game for People With Parkinson's Disease

Frontiers in Neurology ◽

10.3389/fneur.2020.577713 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 ◽

Author(s):

James M. Finley ◽

Marientina Gotsis ◽

Vangelis Lympouridis ◽

Shreya Jain ◽

Aram Kim ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Parkinson’S Disease ◽

Parkinson's Disease ◽

Virtual Reality ◽

Physical Therapists ◽

Physical Therapist ◽

Training System ◽

Training Experience ◽

Sense Of Presence ◽

System Usability Scale ◽

System Usability

People with Parkinson's disease (PD) commonly have gait impairments that reduce their ability to walk safely in the community. These impairments are characterized, in part, by a compromised ability to turn and negotiate both predictable and unpredictable environments. Here, we describe the development and usability assessment of a virtual reality training application, Wordplay VR, that allows people with PD to practice skills such as turning, obstacle avoidance, and problem-solving during over-ground walking in a game-based setting. Nine people with PD completed three sessions with Wordplay VR, and each session was directed by their personal physical therapist. Our outcome measures included perceived sense of presence measured using the International Test Commission–Sense of Presence Inventory (ITC-SOPI), levels of motivation using the Intrinsic Motivation Inventory (IMI), overall system usability using the System Usability Scale (SUS), and setup time by the physical therapists. Both the people with PD and the physical therapists rated their sense of presence in the training system positively. The system received high ratings on the interest and value subscales of the IMI, and the system was also rated highly on usability, from the perspective of both the patient during gameplay and the therapist while controlling the experience. These preliminary results suggest that the application and task design yielded an experience that was motivating and user-friendly for both groups. Lastly, with repeated practice over multiple sessions, therapists were able to reduce the time required to help their patients don the headset and sensors and begin the training experience.

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Immersive Virtual Reality to Restore Natural Long-Range Autocorrelations in Parkinson’s Disease Patients’ Gait During Treadmill Walking

Frontiers in Physiology ◽

10.3389/fphys.2020.572063 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 11 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Alexis Lheureux ◽

Julien Lebleu ◽

Caroline Frisque ◽

Corentin Sion ◽

Gaëtan Stoquart ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Parkinson’S Disease ◽

Parkinson's Disease ◽

Virtual Reality ◽

Long Range ◽

Treadmill Walking ◽

Immersive Virtual Reality

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An Immersive Virtual Reality Exergame for People with Parkinson’s Disease

Lecture Notes in Computer Science - Computers Helping People with Special Needs ◽

10.1007/978-3-030-58796-3_18 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 138-145

Author(s):

Weiqin Chen ◽

Martin Bang ◽

Daria Krivonos ◽

Hanna Schimek ◽

Arnau Naval

Keyword(s):

Parkinson’S Disease ◽

Parkinson's Disease ◽

Virtual Reality ◽

Physical Exercise ◽

Cognitive Rehabilitation ◽

Motor System ◽

Neurodegenerative Disorder ◽

Evidence Based ◽

Immersive Virtual Reality

AbstractParkinson’s disease is a neurodegenerative disorder that affects primarily motor system. Physical exercise is considered important for people with Parkinson’s disease (PD) to slow down disease progression and maintain abilities and quality of life. However, people with PD often experience barriers to exercises that causes low-level adherence to exercise plans and programs. Virtual Reality (VR) is an innovative and promising technology for motor and cognitive rehabilitation. Immersive VR exergames have potential advantages by allowing for individualized skill practice in a motivating interactive environment without distractions from outside events. This paper presents an immersive virtual reality (VR) exergame aiming at motor training on fingers and hand-and-eye coordination. The results from the usability study indicate that immersive VR exergames have potential to provide motivating and engaging physical exercise for people with PD. Through this research, we hope to contribute to evidence-based design principles for task-specific immersive VR exergames for patients with Parkinson’s Disease.

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The Impact of a Novel Immersive Virtual Reality Technology Associated with Serious Games in Parkinson’s Disease Patients on Upper Limb Rehabilitation: A Mixed Methods Intervention Study

Sensors ◽

10.3390/s20082168 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 20 (8) ◽

pp. 2168 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Patricia Sánchez-Herrera-Baeza ◽

Roberto Cano-de-la-Cuerda ◽

Edwin Daniel Oña-Simbaña ◽

Domingo Palacios-Ceña ◽

Jorge Pérez-Corrales ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Parkinson’S Disease ◽

Parkinson's Disease ◽

Virtual Reality ◽

Mixed Methods ◽

Upper Limb ◽

Serious Games ◽

Leap Motion ◽

Immersive Virtual Reality ◽

Virtual Reality Technology ◽

Qualitative Design

Background: Parkinson’s disease is a neurodegenerative disorder that causes impaired motor functions. Virtual reality technology may be recommended to optimize motor learning in a safe environment. The objective of this paper was to evaluate the effects of a novel immersive virtual reality technology used for serious games (Oculus Rift 2 plus leap motion controller—OR2-LMC) for upper limb outcomes (muscle strength, coordination, speed of movements, fine and gross dexterity). Another objective was to obtain qualitative data for participants’ experiences related to the intervention. Methods: A mixed methods intervention (embedded) study was used, with a qualitative design after a technology intervention (quantitative design). The intervention and qualitative design followed international guidelines and were integrated into the method and reporting subheadings. Results: Significant improvements were observed in strength (p = 0.028), fine (p = 0.026 to 0.028) and gross coordination dexterity, and speed movements (p = 0.039) in the affected side, with excellent compliance (100%) and a high level of satisfaction (3.66 ± 0.18 points out of the maximum of 4). No adverse side effects were observed. Qualitative findings described patients’ perspectives regarding OR2-LMC treatment, facilitators and barriers for adherence, OR2-LMC applications, and treatment improvements. Conclusions: The intervention showed positive results for the upper limbs, with elements of discordance, expansion, and confirmation between qualitative and quantitative results.

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