Virtual Reality Verses Conventional Physical Therapy in Parkinson's Disease Patients

NCT07359716 | Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: REC-UOL-/342/08/24
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 62
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Parkinson's disease is a long-term neurological condition that affects movement, balance, and daily activities. People with Parkinson's disease often experience symptoms such as slowness of movement, stiffness, tremors, and difficulty with walking and balance. Physical therapy is commonly used to help improve mobility and quality of life in these patients. This study aims to compare virtual reality-based physical therapy with conventional physical therapy in individuals diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. Virtual reality therapy uses interactive computer-based exercises, while conventional physical therapy includes traditional exercises provided by a physiotherapist. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups. One group will receive virtual reality-based physical therapy, and the other group will receive conventional physical therapy. Both groups will follow structured treatment programs over a defined period. Outcomes such as balance, mobility, walking ability, and functional independence will be assessed before and after the intervention. The results of this study may help determine whether virtual reality-based physical therapy is more effective, equally effective, or less effective than conventional physical therapy for improving movement and daily functioning in people with Parkinson's disease.

Conditions

Parkinson s Disease

Keywords

parkinson's disease; virtual reality rehabilitation; conventional physical therapy; balance training

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Balance and Mobility

  Description: Functional mobility and dynamic balance measured by the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test, which assesses the time it takes a patient to stand up from a chair, walk 3 meters, turn, walk back, and sit down.

  Baseline, (2 weeks)then (4 weeks)

Secondary Outcomes (1)

• Fall Risk

  Baseline, (2 weeks)then (4 weeks)

Study Arms (2)

group A Conventional physical therapy

EXPERIMENTAL

The goal is to target the domains of balance and gait through interactive virtual reality-based tasks that provide real-time feedback and motivational engagement. Equipment will include either immersive or semi-immersive virtual reality systems or balance-platform-based exergames, with motion sensors or inertial measurement units to capture movements. Safety harnesses or gait belts will be used where required. The session will begin with the 5-minute warm-up as the cpt group. Fifteen minutes of virtual reality balance modules will include weight-shifting games, stepping to virtual targets, sensory manipulation with altered virtual environments, and real-time feedback through visual and auditory cues. Difficulty will be progressed by increasing speed, accuracy demands, or reducing time allowances. This will be followed by 10-12 minutes of virtual reality gait and dynamic tasks, such as treadmill walking with augmented environments, step length and cadence targets, and obstacle avoidanc

Behavioral: Conventional Physical Therapy

group B Virtual Reality-Based Physical Therapy

EXPERIMENTAL

The objective is to improve dynamic balance, gait, mobility, and reduce fall risk using evidence-based conventional approaches. Each session will begin with a 5-minute warm-up consisting of marching on the spot, gentle range-of-motion exercises for the lower limbs, trunk rotations, and breathing exercises. Balance training for 15 minutes will include anticipatory control exercises (such as sit-to-stand variations, weight-shifting, and stepping strategies), reactive postural control using gentle multidirectional perturbations and stepping practice, and sensory strategies like tasks on foam or uneven surfaces with eyes closed. Progression will be achieved by narrowing the base of support and adding dual-task activities. Gait training for 10 minutes will include overground walking with a focus on step length, cadence, turns, and obstacle negotiation, combined with cueing strategies such as a metronome or visual tape markers. Strengthening and core exercises for 7-10 minutes will include

Behavioral: Virtual Reality-Based Physical Therapy

Interventions

Conventional Physical Therapy BEHAVIORAL

ntervention Description - Conventional Physical Therapy Conventional physical therapy consists of therapist-guided exercises aimed at improving balance, gait, strength, and functional mobility in individuals with Parkinson's disease. Each session includes a warm-up, structured balance training (anticipatory, reactive, and sensory strategies), overground gait training with cueing techniques, lower-limb and core strengthening exercises, and a cool-down period with stretching and fall-prevention education. Treatment is delivered by licensed physiotherapists three times per week for eight weeks, with exercise difficulty progressively adjusted according to individual performance and tolerance.

group A Conventional physical therapy

Virtual Reality-Based Physical Therapy BEHAVIORAL

Intervention Description - Virtual Reality-Based Physical Therapy Virtual reality-based physical therapy uses interactive computer-generated environments to provide task-specific balance and gait training with real-time visual and auditory feedback. Participants perform activities such as weight shifting, stepping to virtual targets, obstacle negotiation, and dynamic walking tasks designed to challenge postural control and mobility. Sessions are supervised by trained physiotherapists and delivered three times per week for eight weeks. Task difficulty is progressively increased based on participant performance, with safety measures in place throughout the intervention.

group B Virtual Reality-Based Physical Therapy

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 45 Years - 65 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Patients diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. Patients with good cognitive status(MMSE 24 and above) Patients age range from 45- 65 Both male and female population included.

You may not qualify if:

• Other neurological conditions e.g. stroke, multiple sclerosis. Patients with fracture of lower limb in previous 6 months. Patients with recent major surgery or trauma of peripheries that affect mobility and balance.
• Patient with spinal cord injury.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Montiha Azeem: lead

Study Sites (1)

Shadman Medical Center

Lahore, 54000, Pakistan

RECRUITING

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Parkinson Disease

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Parkinsonian Disorders; Basal Ganglia Diseases; Brain Diseases; Central Nervous System Diseases; Nervous System Diseases; Movement Disorders; Synucleinopathies; Neurodegenerative Diseases

Study Officials

• Montiha Azeem, MSPTN

  The University of Lahore, Lahore

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

Montiha Azeem, MSPTN

CONTACT

03479717317; muntahaazeem9@gmail.com

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: DOUBLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT, OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Principal investigator

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: January 1, 2026
• First Posted: January 22, 2026
• Study Start: January 20, 2026
• Primary Completion: March 15, 2026
• Study Completion: March 18, 2026
• Last Updated: January 22, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-01

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

PA (1)