Anat Mirelman, Inbal Maidan, Judith E Deutsch
Overview
Motor imagery (MI) and virtual reality (VR) are two emerging therapeutic approaches that use cognitive functions to study and enhance movement, especially balance, in people with Parkinson’s disease (PD).
Purpose:
The purpose of this review is to examine the literature on the use of VR and MI in the assessment of mobility and as a therapeutic intervention to improve balance and gait in patients with Parkinson’s disease.
Methods:
Data were extracted from the following categories: participants; study design; intervention (type, duration, and frequency); and outcomes in studies that used MI or VR to assess motor or cognitive function to improve gait, balance, and mobility in patients with PD. Physiotherapy Evidence Database scale was used to evaluate for quality. A total of 16 articles were identified; 4 articles used MI and 12 used VR to assess and treat gait impairments in Parkinson’s disease. The studies used small samples and varied methodologies. Both the MI and VR interventions were of fair quality. The use of MI and VR for assessment and treatment was noted as beneficial.
Findings:
Researchers found promising results regarding the use of MI and VR for Parkinson’s disease, but more high-quality research is still needed. The optimal use, content of interventions, and generalizability of findings across stages of the disease remain to be determined. The possible mechanisms underlying MI and VR are also discussed, along with recommendations for future research and therapy.
The V-TIME academic research project that has led to many of these papers is implemented commercially by GaitBetter.