Virtual Reality and Fear of Falling in Parkinson's Disease

Ahram Canadian University

Status: Enrolling

Conditions: Parkinson Disease; Parkinson; Parkinson's Disease and Parkinsonism

Treatments: Diagnostic Test: Polar H10 Heart Sensor; Diagnostic Test: Motion Capture system; Diagnostic Test: Inertial measurement Unite; Diagnostic Test: Virtual reality; Diagnostic Test: Electromyography; Diagnostic Test: Electroencephalogram

Study type: Observational

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT05931692

P.T/ NEUR /3/2023/46

Details and patient eligibility

About

Background: Falls are common in elderly individuals and those with neurological conditions like Parkinson's disease. Parkinson's disease causes postural instability and mobility issues that lead to falls and reduced quality of life. The fear of falling (FoF), a natural response to unstable balance, can exacerbate postural control problems. However, evaluating FoF relies primarily on subjective self-reports due to a lack of objective assessment methods.

Objectives: This mixed-methods feasibility study aims to develop an objective method for assessing fear of falling during motion and walking using virtual reality. This protocol examines a range of FoF-related responses, including cognitive, neuromuscular, and postural stability factors.

Methods: Individuals without and with Parkinson's disease will complete questionnaires, movement tasks, and walking assessments in real and virtual environments where FoF can be elicited using virtual reality (VR) technology. Data from center-of-pressure measurements, electromyography, heart rate monitoring, motion capture, and usability metrics will evaluate the method's acceptability and safety. Semi-structured interviews will gather participants' and researchers' experiences of the protocol.

Discussion: This method may allow accurate assessment of how FoF impacts movement by measuring cognitive, neuromuscular, and postural responses during gait and motion. Virtual environments reproduce real-life scenarios that trigger FoF. Rigorously assessing FoF with this approach could demonstrate its ability to quantify the effects of FoF on movement.

Conclusions: This protocol aims to improve FoF assessment by evaluating multiple responses during movement in virtual environments. It addresses current measures' limitations. A feasibility study will identify areas for improvement specific to Parkinson's disease. Successful validation could transform how FoF is evaluated and managed.

Enrollment: 15 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 40+ years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• People ≥ 40 years old.
• Participants diagnosed with Parkinson's disease by a neurologist, regardless the type.
• Modified Hoehn and Yahr stages I to III.
• Able to follow instructions and understand questions.
• Able to walk independently and without walking aids.
• People who experience excessive fear of falling and fear of movement.
• Able to communicate verbally.
• Stable use of Parkinson's Disease or other comorbidities medications.

Exclusion criteria

• Impaired vision and hearing.
• Unstable medical condition.
• Co-existing neurological or orthopedic conditions that may limit mobility and affect participation.
• Dizziness, vertigo, headache, and motion-sickness.
• Cognition impairments.
• Pregnancy.

Trial design

15 participants in 2 patient groups

Individuals without Parkinson's disease

Description:

People over 40 years old

Treatment:

Diagnostic Test: Inertial measurement Unite

Diagnostic Test: Virtual reality

Diagnostic Test: Polar H10 Heart Sensor

Diagnostic Test: Motion Capture system

Diagnostic Test: Electromyography

Diagnostic Test: Electroencephalogram

Parkinson Disease

Description:

People over 40 years old who have Parkinson's Disease at stage I to III Hoehn and Yahr scale

Treatment:

Diagnostic Test: Inertial measurement Unite

Diagnostic Test: Virtual reality

Diagnostic Test: Polar H10 Heart Sensor

Diagnostic Test: Motion Capture system

Diagnostic Test: Electromyography

Diagnostic Test: Electroencephalogram