Usability Study of a Neuropsychological Intervention Program Based on Virtual Reality in Adults With Parkinson's Disease

Usability Study of a Neuropsychological Intervention Program Based on Virtual Reality in Adults With Parkinson's Disease

Usability Study of a Neuropsychological Intervention Program Based on Virtual Reality in Adults With Parkinson's Disease

Nowadays, several strategies for treating neuropsychologic function loss in Parkinson disease (PD) have been proposed, such as physical activity performance and developing games to exercise the mind. However, few studies illustrate the incidence of these therapies in neuronal activity. This work aims to study the feasibility of a virtual reality-based program oriented to the cognitive functions' rehabilitation of PD patients. For this, the study was divided in intervention with the program, acquisition of signals, data processing and results analysis. The study highlights implementing new technologies to rehabilitate people with neurodegenerative diseases.

Nowadays, several strategies for treating neuropsychologic function loss in Parkinson disease (PD) have been proposed, such as physical activity performance and developing games to exercise the mind. However, few studies illustrate the incidence of these therapies in neuronal activity. This work aims to study the feasibility of a virtual reality-based program oriented to the cognitive functions' rehabilitation of PD patients. For this, the study was divided in intervention with the program, acquisition of signals, data processing and results analysis. The alpha and beta bands power behaviour were determined by evaluating the electroencephalography (EEG) signals obtained during the execution of control tests and games of the "Hand Physics Lab" Software, from which five games related to attention, planning, sequencing, concentration, and coordination, were taken. The study highlights implementing new technologies to rehabilitate people with neurodegenerative diseases.

Parkinson's disease, virtual reality, cognitive functions, alpha band, beta band, cerebral lobes, electroencephalography

Each subject will receive a single session of exercises with the OCULUS QUEST2 (OCULUS VR, USA) and a hand tracking software (Hand Physics Lab, Holonautic, Switzerland). Brain function monitoring will be made by an EEG system ENOBIO 20 (Neuro-electrics, Spain) positioned over subject head. Intervention consisted of exercises with upper limbs and visual feedback. These activities were projected stereoscopically on VR googles.

VR intervention with OCULUS QUEST2 (OCULUS VR, USA) consiste on a VR helmet positioned over subject head. The software consisted of a 3D environment with exercises of upper limbs and visual feedback for the treatment of cognitive and motor dysfunction. The therapist have real-time access to the activities in the 3D environment vby real-time video transmission of the helmet activity. The program include a single session. Each session is monitored on safety aspects of the subjects with emphasis on possible side effects of virtual reality.

continuous signals will be acquired from the primary motor cortex of lower limbs (FcZ, C2, Cz, C1, Cpz) according to the 10-20 International EEG System. Power spectral density in the frequency band of motor imagery (8-32Hz) will be obtained by OpenVibe Software and Matlab. The measure unit is Decibels per Hertz(dB/Hz).

continuous signals will be acquired from the primary motor cortex of lower limbs (FcZ, C2, Cz, C1, Cpz) according to the 10-20 International EEG System. Power spectral density in the frequency band of motor imagery (8-32Hz) will be obtained by OpenVibe Software and Matlab. The measure unit is Decibels per Hertz(dB/Hz).

Inclusion Criteria: Parkinson Disease (Neurologist diagnosed) Both gender Informed consent accepted Adults Stage 2 and 3 in the Hoehn Yahr scale Exclusion Criteria: Mental diseases Migraines Pregnancy

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