Comparative Effects of Virtual Reality and Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation in Patients With Parkinson's Disease

Summary

Parkinson's Disease is a chronic neurodegenerative disorder marked by the progressive loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra and accumulation of α-synuclein (Lewy bodies).It impacts both motor and non-motor systems, with growing global prevalence-affecting 7-10 million people, mostly men over 60 years-due to increasing life expectancy and demographic shifts.

PD shows motor symptoms like tremors and bradykinesia, along with non-motor issues like depression, REM sleep disorder, and cognitive decline. Diagnosis is often delayed due to subtle early signs like constipation or shoulder pain and atypical cases lacking classical tremors.

VR offers immersive, task-specific therapy that enhances motor learning and neuroplasticity in a safe, engaging environment. By integrating sensory feedback and real-time motion tracking, VR reduces tremors, promotes cortical reorganization (notably in the sensorimotor cortex and cerebellum), and increases rehabilitation motivation through gamified experiences.

PNF is a hands-on therapy using tactile, auditory, and proprioceptive cues to improve coordination, strength, and movement patterns. Especially useful in Parkinson's rehabilitation, PNF targets rigidity, bradykinesia, tremors, and postural instability by reinforcing neuromuscular coordination and improving movement execution in functional, diagonal planes.

Sensorimotor control is the dynamic integration of sensory input, motor planning, and execution, which becomes disrupted in PD due to impaired proprioception and feedback loops. Patients rely excessively on visual feedback, making movement effortful, highlighting the need for focused upper limb rehabilitation strategies.

Conditions

• Parkinson Disease

Interventions

OTHER

Intervention 1

Participants in the control group received Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) therapy three times per week for a total duration of six weeks. Each session lasted approximately 30 minutes and was conducted at a moderate intensity, corresponding to an RPE of 11-13 on the Borg scale. For kinetic tremors, the slow reversal technique was applied. For bradykinesia, the rhythmic initiation technique was used. And to enhance proprioception, tactile input was provided through manual contact, resistance, and stretch applied by the therapist at key points of the movement pattern.

DEVICE

artificial intelligence

Participants in the experimental group underwent Virtual Reality (VR) training three times per week for a total of six weeks. Each session lasted approximately 30 minutes and was conducted at a moderate intensity, defined by the repetition of VR tasks five times per session. The intervention was delivered using the Oculus Meta Quest 2 head-mounted display, providing an immersive and interactive environment under the close supervision of a licensed physical therapist. The central activity involved 2 modules. Ball Shifting Module picking and placing five virtual balls within the simulated environment and transferring them from one basket to another. Cube Navigation Module, in this task, users guide a virtual cube through highlighted cells or routes using deliberate movements, requiring precise hand positioning and controlled movement paths.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Lahore University of Biological and Applied Sciences

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Shoaib Waqas, PhD · Lahore University of Biological and Applied Sciences

• Javeria Younas, DPT · Lahore College of Physical Therapy

• Fatima Rehan, DPT · Lahore College of Physical Therapy

• Laiba Dhillon, DPT · Lahore College of Physical Therapy

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

SINGLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

50 Years

Max Age

80 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2026-01-31

Primary Completion

2026-07-31

Completion

2026-07-31

Countries

• Pakistan

Study Locations