What About the Role of Virtual Reality in Parkinson Disease's Cognitive Rehabilitation? Preliminary Findings From a Randomized Clinical Trial.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of a virtual reality training with BTS Nirvana (BTS-N) system in the cognitive and behavioral recovery in patients with Parkinson disease (PD). The BTS-N is a semi-immersive therapy system used for motor and cognitive rehabilitation of patients with neurological diseases, by creating virtual scenarios with which the patient may interact.

METHODS:

We enrolled 20 patients with PD undergoing neurorehabilitation. All the patients were randomized into 2 groups: experimental group performing semi-immersive virtual reality training with BTS-N and control group undergoing traditional cognitive training. Each participant was evaluated before and immediately after the end of the training. Each cognitive training consisted of 3 sessions a week, each lasting 60 minutes, for 8 weeks, for a total of 24 sessions in each group.

RESULTS:

Experimental group showed a greater improvement in cognitive functioning, with regard to executive and visuospatial abilities, as compared with the control group.

CONCLUSION:

Our findings suggest that rehabilitation through a new virtual reality instrument could be a valuable tool in improving cognitive and behavioral outcomes of patients with PD.

• Authors: Maria Grazia Maggio, Maria Cristina De Cola, Desirèe Latella, Giuseppa Maresca, Chiara Finocchiaro, Gianluca La Rosa, Vincenzo Cimino, Chiara Sorbera, Placido Bramanti, Rosaria De Luca, Rocco Salvatore Calabrò
• Journal: Journal of geriatric psychiatry and neurology (J Geriatr Psychiatry Neurol) Vol. 31 Issue 6 Pg. 312-318 (11 2018) ISSN: 0891-9887 [Print] United States
• PMID: 30360679 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial)

Topics

• Aged
• Cognition (physiology)
• Female
• Humans
• Male
• Parkinson Disease (psychology, rehabilitation)
• Virtual Reality