Virtual Cycling Environments for Persons With Parkinson Disease

Virtual Cycling Environments (VCYCLE) Increases Exercise Intensity of Persons With Parkinson Disease

This study asks three questions about Persons with Parkinson Disease that use a bicycle for exercise. 1. Does the use of virtual reality increase the intensity and and enjoyment of the experience compared to bicycling without virtual reality? 2. Does the way in which the bicycling (interval compared to continous) is performed affect the experience? 3. How does the way the virtual reality is delivered (with goggles or projected on a screen) affect the experience?

Participants attend two sessions. They complete movement assessments and questionnaires about physical activity. During the first session they bicycle in a semi-immersive (projected on a screen) and an immersive (with googles) virtual environment. After each bout they completed a questionnaire about the experience. In the second session they bicycle four times with and without a virtual environment using both a continous and interval mode. Their oxygen consumption is measured during cycling. They complete questionnaires after each exercise bout.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Diagnosis of Parkinson's disease
2. Hoehn and Yahr stages II-III,
3. 45-75 years old
4. able to ride a stationary upright bicycle
5. able to sign informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Have a recent history of severe heart disease, severe lung disease, uncontrolled diabetes, traumatic brain injury or neurological disorder other than Parkinson Disease.
2. Are unable to follow directions or sign a consent form
3. Do not have adequate vision or hearing ability to see or hear a television
4. Have unstable medical condition or musculoskeletal disorder such as severe arthritis, recent knee surgery, hip surgery, or any other condition that the investigators determine would impair the ability to ride the bicycle
5. Have any other medical condition that prevents bicycling
6. Have moderate depression