Effects of Virtual Reality Exercise Program on Balance and Quality of Life Among Patients with Parkinson’s Disease. |
Geun-Ho Lee |
Dankook University |
Correspondence:
Geun-Ho Lee, Email: dneuro@hotmail.com |
Received: 17 November 2014 • Accepted: 14 February 2015 |
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Abstract |
PURPOSE The purposes of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of an 8-week virtual reality exercise program designed around the Nintendo Wii(Wii), in improving balance and quality of life among patients with Parkinson’s disease(PD). METHODS The subjects were 30 individuals with PD. 15 patients were assigned to an experimental group to engage an in three 40-minute Wii balance-training sessions per week, for 8 weeks, and 15 to control group. They were asked to complete questionnaires including verbal analogue scale (VAS), activities-specific balancing confidence scale (ABC), Parkinson’s Disease Quality of Life (PDQ39) Scale, and fall index assessment before and after the intervention. Quantification of improvement was conducted utilizing Sensory Organization Test (SOT) of Computerized Dynamic Posturography (CDP). Statistical significance was tested in between the patients before and after treatment by ANOVA. RESULTS There was a statistically significant improvement in scores of VAS, ABC, PDQ39, and fall index assessment results within the experimental group. SOT showed significant difference on condition 5, 6, and vestibular ratios within the experimental group from baseline to post-intervention. CONCLUSIONS Virtual reality exercise programs can be an effective method improving for balance, balance confidence, and quality of life among individuals with PD. |
Keywords:
Parkinson |
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