Virtual reality training and balance and gait in Parkinson's disease in Latin America: a systematic review

Fiorella Luz De La Cruz Espinoza, Fiorelladelacruz88@gmail.com, Verónica Daniela Larrosa Valls and Vlarrosauba@gmail.com

SAP Gamification and Augmented Reality, 2024

Abstract: Introduction: Balance and gait impairments are among the most disabling features of Parkinson's disease, and virtual reality training is increasingly offered to treat them, but the evidence generated in Latin America has not been synthesised. Methods: This systematic review followed PRISMA 2020. Five sources were searched for reports published from 2012 to 2024 in English, Spanish and Portuguese. Prospective studies of virtual reality or exergame training in Parkinson's disease, conducted in Latin America and reporting balance or gait outcomes, were included. Results: The review included 33 studies with 549 participants, 32 from Brazil and 1 from Chile: eight randomized trials, six non-randomized comparative studies and 19 uncontrolled before-after studies. Of 23 studies measuring balance, 19 reported improvement after training, and of 20 measuring gait or mobility, 11 did. Among 9 comparisons with an active control, 7 showed similar effects. No randomized trial had low risk of bias, and all uncontrolled studies were at critical risk. Conclusions: Studies from Latin America show that virtual reality training is feasible and is followed by better balance scores, but they offer no evidence of superiority over conventional rehabilitation. The certainty of the evidence is very low, and randomized trials with adequate samples, blinded assessment and common outcomes are required in Spanish-speaking countries.

Date: 2024
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:cwf:grarti:gr202450

DOI: 10.62486/gr202450

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