The Impact of a Novel Immersive Virtual Reality Technology Associated with Serious Games in Parkinson's Disease Patients on Upper Limb Rehabilitation: A Mixed Methods Intervention Study

• Published in: Sensors (Basel, Switzerland) Vol. 20; no. 8; p. 2168
• Main Authors: Sánchez-Herrera-Baeza, Patricia, Cano-de-la-Cuerda, Roberto, Oña-Simbaña, Edwin Daniel, Palacios-Ceña, Domingo, Pérez-Corrales, Jorge, Cuenca-Zaldivar, Juan Nicolas, Gueita-Rodriguez, Javier, Balaguer-Bernaldo de Quirós, Carlos, Jardón-Huete, Alberto, Cuesta-Gomez, Alicia
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland MDPI AG 11.04.2020; MDPI
• Subjects: Activities of daily living; Aged; biomedical enhancement; biomedical technology; Computer & video games; Coordination; Educational software; Female; Games; Hand Strength - physiology; Humans; Immersive virtual reality; Intervention; Male; Mixed methods research; Muscle strength; neurological rehabilitation; Parkinson Disease - pathology; Parkinson Disease - rehabilitation; Parkinson's disease; Patient Satisfaction; Psychomotor Performance; Qualitative analysis; Rehabilitation; Upper Extremity - physiology; Video Games; Virtual Reality; mixed methods research; neurological rehabilitation; biomedical enhancement; Parkinson’s disease; biomedical technology
• ISSN: 1424-8220; 1424-8220
• DOI: 10.3390/s20082168

Parkinson's disease is a neurodegenerative disorder that causes impaired motor functions. Virtual reality technology may be recommended to optimize motor learning in a safe environment. The objective of this paper was to evaluate the effects of a novel immersive virtual reality technology used for serious games (Oculus Rift 2 plus leap motion controller-OR2-LMC) for upper limb outcomes (muscle strength, coordination, speed of movements, fine and gross dexterity). Another objective was to obtain qualitative data for participants' experiences related to the intervention. A mixed methods intervention (embedded) study was used, with a qualitative design after a technology intervention (quantitative design). The intervention and qualitative design followed international guidelines and were integrated into the method and reporting subheadings. Significant improvements were observed in strength ( = 0.028), fine ( = 0.026 to 0.028) and gross coordination dexterity, and speed movements ( = 0.039) in the affected side, with excellent compliance (100%) and a high level of satisfaction (3.66 ± 0.18 points out of the maximum of 4). No adverse side effects were observed. Qualitative findings described patients' perspectives regarding OR2-LMC treatment, facilitators and barriers for adherence, OR2-LMC applications, and treatment improvements. The intervention showed positive results for the upper limbs, with elements of discordance, expansion, and confirmation between qualitative and quantitative results.