With nearly one million people in the U.S. currently living with Parkinson’s disease (PD), and about 90,000 new cases being diagnosed every year, the projected rise to 1.2 million by 2030 is a cause for concern.
While Parkinson’s disease is a well-known condition, its long-term effects are less understood. This blog explores Parkinson’s disease, its long-term impacts, and how virtual reality can aid patient rehabilitation.
What Is Parkinson’s Disease?
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder that causes generalized slowing of movements (bradykinesia) and at least one other symptom of resting tremor or rigidity2. This disorder presents itself at the onset of old age.
Studies show that Parkinson’s disease affects at least 1% of the population over the age of 602. PD affects 1 to 2 people per 10002 at any time, and its prevalence increases with age. However, 5% to 10% of patients have a genetic predisposition2.
While PD has a slow onset, it progresses quickly to affect bodily movements. The first symptom is tremor, followed by other symptoms, such as loss of smell, sleep dysfunction, mood disorders, excess salivation, constipation, and excessive periodic limb movements in sleep (REM behavior disorder)2.
The most common dire symptom is postural instability, which is observed in patients diagnosed with PD for more extended periods2, and it can severely impact the quality of life.
How Is Parkinson’s Disease Treated?
There is no definite cure for Parkinson’s disease, but there are available treatments to target its symptoms and improve the quality of life. A standard mode of therapy involves prescribed medications, such as levodopa, dopamine agonists, and monoamine oxidase-B inhibitors3, used to treat tremors and improve body movements. However, these medications may not be helpful for everyone, as they may not have the intended effect and may differ from person to person3.
Besides medication, healthcare professionals utilize supportive therapies such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy to treat PD patients. Let us explore each of them in detail.
Physical Therapy
Physical therapy (PT) for PD patients focuses on enhancing motor skills, balance, and coordination. This includes personalized exercises to improve muscle strength, flexibility, and balance, which can help reduce falls and improve mobility. A physical therapist also assists patients with gait training, which includes improving their walking patterns, speed, and stride length.
Occupational Therapy
Occupational therapy (OT) assists Parkinson’s patients in maintaining their daily living skills and adapting their living environments. It equips the patients with adaptive techniques to make daily tasks easier, such as dressing, eating, and personal hygiene. Therapists may also use equipment or assistive devices like grab bars, special utensils, and modified clothing to train patients.
Speech Therapy
PD patients may face difficulty with swallowing and speech as the disease can affect speech clarity, tone, and volume. With speech therapy, patients are trained with vocal exercises to increase vocal loudness without straining the voice. Therapists also equip patients with techniques to manage dysphagia (difficulty swallowing) that might occur in later stages.
Most PD patients are treated with medication and supportive treatments. However, in some rare scenarios, a type of brain surgery called deep brain stimulation, which involves surgically implanting a pulse generator similar to a heart pacemaker, may be necessary3.
Virtual Reality for Rehabilitation in Parkinson’s Disease
Virtual Reality (VR) is emerging as an innovative tool in rehabilitating PD patients. It provides immersive and interactive environments that enhance both physical and cognitive therapy. Here are a few ways in which VR is being utilized for the rehabilitation of Parkinson’s patients.
Enhanced Motor Skill Training
A randomized trial was conducted in which 51 PD patients were randomly assigned to a VR or conventional rehabilitation program4. Compared to traditional rehabilitation programs, the VR program improved balance, gait, walking, and overall quality of life4.
This study showcases how VR systems can create simulated environments where patients can engage in activities that may be difficult to perform. These virtual tasks are designed to improve motor skills, balance, and gait. For instance, VR can simulate walking paths that challenge a patient’s balance and coordination, offering a safe platform for practice and improvement.
Effective Dual-Task Training
A significant outcome of VR therapy for PD patients is its effectiveness of dual-task training through immersive, customizable environments. Dual-task training is a rehabilitation technique involving two tasks simultaneously, typically one cognitive and one motor task. This form of training is particularly beneficial for PD patients, as it mirrors real-life scenarios where individuals must multitask, helping to improve their functional abilities.
An example of how VR aids dual-task training is demonstrated in the study below. The study comprised 96 PD patients, each assigned 6 or 12 weeks of treadmill training with virtual reality5. As a result, there were significant improvements in cognitive functions, such as executive functions, visuospatial ability, attention, dual-task gait performance, and a considerable decrease in fall rate and fear of falling amongst the patients5.
Safe Environment for Training
The above study5 demonstrates how VR provides a controlled and safe patient environment. Immersed in virtual reality, patients can perform exercises without the risk of falling or injury. This safety feature is crucial for patients with severe mobility and balance issues, providing them the confidence to practice intense and repetitive movements essential for neuroplasticity and motor learning.
Real-time Feedback & Adaptation
VR technology provides instant feedback through visual or auditory cues, allowing patients to adjust their movements in real time. This immediate correction helps improve motor control and cognitive adaptation.
With VR, therapists can adjust the complexity of tasks based on the patient’s current abilities and progress. This adaptability ensures that the training remains within the optimal challenge point for neuroplasticity without overwhelming the patient, demonstrating a deep understanding and care for the patient’s journey to recovery.
Improved Engagement & Motivation
A recent research found that the lack of motivation for the therapy is often a problem among people with neurological disorders6. Upon its research, the same study concluded that there was a positive response to and perceived enjoyment of VR therapy, leading to an improved quality of life6. Several other trials also revealed significant improvement in mood, motivation, and psycho-emotional state in favor of VR rehabilitation programs6.
These studies depict how VR’s immersive nature can make therapy sessions more enjoyable and engaging for patients. It can significantly increase motivation and participation in therapy sessions. Patients are often more willing to engage in prolonged activities in an interactive, enjoyable, game-like environment. This is crucial for the repetitive practice needed in dual-task training.
Telerehabilitation
Many Parkinson’s patients experience difficulties with transportation and mobility, which can hinder their ability to attend regular therapy appointments. VR-based telerehabilitation eliminates the need for travel, providing access to vital rehabilitation services without leaving home. This convenience is crucial for maintaining consistent treatment, which is critical to managing the progressive symptoms of Parkinson’s.
Performing exercises at home via VR minimizes the risk of falls and injuries associated with traveling to and participating in external therapy sessions. Patients can improve their balance, coordination, and strength in a controlled and familiar environment.
XRHealth: Experience the Future of Parkinson’s Rehabilitation with VR
XRHealth is a dedicated VR therapy platform for healthcare. We redefine therapeutic healthcare from patients to providers.
Our Physical & Cognitive Space platform integrates virtual reality and physical therapy to enhance patient engagement and outcomes for Parkinson’s patients. It provides advanced tools to customize treatment plans, monitor progress, and deliver engaging rehabilitation sessions.
That’s not all; we integrate immersive VR technology with advanced data analytics on one platform, aiding healthcare providers in delivering a comprehensive care solution for their patients. The platform offers specialized FDA-registered VR apps with over 140 VR environments catering to 16+ therapeutic areas and are reimbursable by Medicare. Our virtual clinics empower patients to receive care anytime, anywhere, provided by our licensed therapists using VR technology.
Elevate Your Parkinson’s Treatments with VR.
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