The Effects of Augmented and Virtual Reality Gait Training on Patients With Parkinson's Disease

Investigation of The Effects of Augmented and Virtual Reality Gait Training on Balance and Walking in Patients With Parkinson's Disease

In Parkinson's Disease (PD) rehabilitation, the treadmill is used both in aerobic training and in gait training, as it provides more walking distance and can include body weight supported systems. It has been reported that the C-Mill VR+ device, which is a treadmill system with augmented and virtual reality (VR) technology, improves gait adaptation and reduces the risk of falling in individuals with early to mid-stage PD. Several publications augmented reality (AR) and VR applications in PD was focused on balance activities that do not include ambulation. In other studies in the literature, it was stated that further research are needed to better understand the effects of VR gait training on gait and balance in PD. It was also stated in these studies that the effects of VR gait training should be examined with more objective measurement methods. As a result, it is seen that there is a need for studies examining the effects of augmented and virtual reality trainings in PD with objective measurement methods. Therefore, our study aimed to examine the effects of AR and VR gait training on gait and balance in individuals with early to mid-stage PD.

Participants included in the study will randomly divide were randomly divided into 2 groups as intervention (IG, n=15) and control (CG, n=15). IG was given augmented and virtual reality gait training together with conventional training (CT). CG was given CT only. The training was applied 3 days per week for 6 weeks in both groups. All evaluations will be made by the same physiotherapist by meeting with participants face to face. Inclusion in the research will be on a voluntary basis. As outcome measures, motor symptoms, balance, balance confidence and gait analyses were performed before and after intervention.

Inclusion Criteria:

• being diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease by a specialist physician
• being grade 1-3 on the Hoehn and Yahr Staging Scale
• being 40 years or older; and
• individuals agreed to be included in the study after adequate information was given about the study

Exclusion Criteria:

• People who standardised Mini-Mental State Examination score < 24
• Having any cardiovascular, vestibular, musculoskeletal, or additional neurological disease.