EXERCISES WITH AND WITHOUT VIRTUAL REALITY ON PAIN IN PATIENTS WITH PARKINSON DISEASE: A RANDOMIZED, CONTROLLED, SINGLE-BLIND TRIAL

Abstract

Introduction: Pain in individuals with Parkinson's Disease (PD) may result from factors such as progressive changes of the disease, originating from the Central Nervous System (CNS), until coming from classic symptoms such as stiffness, dyskinesia and dystonia, having possible correlations with important functional markers such as balance and gait. There is no consensus with regard to the treatment of pain in this condition, and exercises associated with virtual reality (VR) may be an effective intervention. Objective: To evaluate the influence of an exercise program associated with virtual reality (VR) on pain intensity, correlating changes in this symptom with the functional performance of elders with Parkinson Disease (PD). Design: randomized comparative clinical trial. Setting: clinical facility from a school of physiotherapy in Brazil. Participants: 29 elders with PD. Interventions: exercises with VR and exercises without VR. Main Outcome Measures: pain, balance and gait, evaluated before and after 10 sessions, by Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Berg Balance Scale and 10 Meter Walk Test. Results: Reduction in pain intensity in the VR Group, and groups improved their balance and gait performance. Significant correlation was between the improvement in pain intensity and reduction in gait timing in the non VR Group (r = 0.713; p < 0.005). Conclusion: VR in elders with PD may be a tool for reducing pain intensity, and independently of the type, physical exercises had positive impact on their functional performance.