Comparative Analysis of the Impact of Virtual Reality Training and Conventional Physiotherapy on Balance and Gait in Older Adults with Parkinson's Disease

Abstract

Background: Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative condition predominantly manifesting in motor impairments, notably in balance and gait. Recent advancements have highlighted Virtual Reality (VR) training as a potent alternative or adjunct to conventional physiotherapy (CPT) for the rehabilitation of these motor disturbances in PD patients. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate and compare the efficacy of VR training and CPT in ameliorating balance and gait issues in older adults diagnosed with PD. Methods: In this randomized controlled trial, 56 patients with PD were assigned either to VR training or to CPT. The VR training entailed immersive and interactive exercises specifically designed for balance and gait enhancement using VR technology. Conversely, CPT consisted of traditional exercises targeting similar motor skills. Standardized assessments for balance and gait were administered both prior to and following the intervention to all participants. Results: The intervention demonstrated that VR training led to more pronounced improvements in balance and gait parameters as compared to CPT. Notably, the Timed Up and Go test (TUG) exhibited an improvement of 4.2 seconds in the VR group versus 3.6 seconds in the CPT group, a difference statistically significant (p<0.05). Similarly, the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) scores increased by 12.4 points in the VR group and 10.8 points in the CPT group, again showing a significant advantage for VR (p<0.05). The Mini-BESTest scores improved by 2.6 points in the VR group compared to 2.1 points in the CPT group, reinforcing the superiority of VR (p<0.05). Conclusion: The study conclusively finds that VR training surpasses CPT in enhancing balance and gait in older adults with PD. Offering an immersive, engaging, and tailored therapeutic environment, VR training emerges as a potent modality for augmenting rehabilitation outcomes in this demographic.