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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2023 Dec;59(6):689-696.
doi: 10.23736/S1973-9087.23.07954-6. Epub 2023 Oct 17.

Efficacy of non-immersive virtual reality-based telerehabilitation on postural stability in Parkinson's disease: a multicenter randomized controlled trial

Michela Goffredo  1 , Francesca Baglio  2 , Roberto DE Icco  3   4 , Stefania Proietti  1   5 , Giorgio Maggioni  6 , Andrea Turolla  7   8 , Sanaz Pournajaf  1 , Johanna Jonsdottir  9 , Federica Zeni  6 , Sara Federico  10 , Luisa Cacciante  10 , Matteo Cioeta  1 , Cristina Tassorelli  3   4 , Marco Franceschini  1   5 , Rocco S Calabrò  11 ; RIN_TR_Group
Collaborators, Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

Efficacy of non-immersive virtual reality-based telerehabilitation on postural stability in Parkinson's disease: a multicenter randomized controlled trial

Michela Goffredo et al. Eur J Phys Rehabil Med. 2023 Dec.

Abstract

Background: The implementation of regular prolonged, and effective rehabilitation in people with Parkinson's disease is essential for ensuring a good quality of life. However, the continuity of rehabilitation care may find barriers related to economic, geographic, and social issues. In these scenarios, telerehabilitation could be a possible solution to guarantee the continuity of care.

Aim: To investigate the efficacy of non-immersive virtual reality-based telerehabilitation on postural stability in people with Parkinson's disease, compared to at-home self-administered structured conventional motor activities.

Design: Multicenter randomized controlled trial.

Setting: Five rehabilitation hospitals of the Italian Neuroscience and Rehabilitation Network.

Population: Individuals diagnosed with Parkinson's disease.

Methods: Ninety-seven participants were randomized into two groups: 49 in the telerehabilitation group (non-immersive virtual reality-based telerehabilitation) and 48 in the control group (at-home self-administered structured conventional motor activities). Both treatments lasted 30 sessions (3-5 days/week for, 6-10 weeks). Static and dynamic balance, gait, and functional motor outcomes were registered before and after the treatments.

Results: All participants improved the outcomes at the end of the treatments. The primary outcome (mini-Balance Evaluation Systems Test) registered a greater significant improvement in the telerehabilitation group than in the control group. The gait and endurance significantly improved in the telerehabilitation group only, with significant within-group and between-group differences.

Conclusions: Our results showed that non-immersive virtual reality-based telerehabilitation is feasible, improves static and dynamic balance, and is a reasonably valuable alternative for reducing postural instability in people with Parkinson's disease.

Clinical rehabilitation impact: Non-immersive virtual reality-based telerehabilitation is an effective and well-tolerated modality of rehabilitation which may help to improve access and scale up rehabilitation services as suggested by the World Health Organization's Rehabilitation 2030 agenda.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflicts of interest: The authors certify that there is no conflict of interest with any financial organization regarding the material discussed in the manuscript.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
—CONSORT flow diagram of the study.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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