Objective: This study aims to quantitatively assess how indoor environments affect on gait disturbances in PD patients using virtual reality (VR).

Background: Patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD) often experience gait disturbances. These gait impairments, which may be minor on neurological examination but significant in daily life at home, complicate movement assessment and medication therapy adjustments. In addition, difficult physical environments, such as narrow hallways and obstacles, can exacerbate their gait difficulties and increase the risk of falls.

Method: The study involved 23 PD patients (average age 75.6 ± 5.9 years; mean±SD)、9 females) and 14 healthy individuals ( 74.9 ± 4.6 years; 9 females) as a control group. We utilized a VR system developed by our team to recreate a typical household corridor. We then manipulated the position, angle, and width of obstacles within this virtual space to study their effects on the gait of PD patients. Gait analysis was conducted using inertial motion capture technology.

Results: Patients with PD had significantly longer transit times through the aisle compared to healthy subjects, and these times increased as the aisle width narrowed. The narrower the passage, the more pronounced the delay in transit time.

Conclusion: The use of VR to simulate indoor environments enabled us to quantitatively examine and demonstrate the impact of such environments on gait in individuals with PD.

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MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/the-study-of-evaluating-the-impact-of-simulating-indoor-environments-using-virtual-reality-on-gait-in-parkinsons-disease/