Feasibility of Somato-Cognitive Coordination Therapy Using Virtual Reality for Patients with Advanced Severe Parkinson's Disease

J Parkinsons Dis. 2024 Apr 11. doi: 10.3233/JPD-240011. Online ahead of print.

Abstract

This feasibility study enrolled 20 patients with advanced severe Parkinson's disease (PD) to evaluate somato-cognitive coordination therapy (SCCT) using virtual reality. Focusing on the safety and tolerability of SCCT, 17 patients (76±9 years old and 64.7% male) completed the 3-month trial. Key observations included absence of adverse events and tolerability of the participants to SCCT despite initial apprehensions and minor adjustments in medication. Physical functions showed no significant deterioration, suggesting the safety of SCCT. In conclusion, SCCT emerges as feasible and well-tolerated intervention in advanced severe PD, requiring further research to assess its therapeutic efficacy.

Keywords: Parkinson’s disease; Virtual reality; motor coordination.