Comparison of Immersive and Non-Immersive Virtual Reality Rehabilitation in Parkinson's Disease

Parkinson's disease commonly affects walking ability, balance, mobility, and cognitive function, increasing the risk of falls and reducing independence. Virtual reality (VR) has emerged as a promising rehabilitation tool, but the potential differences between immersive and non-immersive VR approaches remain unclear. This pilot randomized comparative study aims to evaluate the feasibility, safety, and preliminary effects of immersive virtual reality (IVR) and non-immersive virtual reality (NIVR) rehabilitation in individuals with Parkinson's disease. Participants will be assigned to either an immersive VR intervention using a head-mounted display or a non-immersive VR intervention using a tablet-based exergaming platform. Both interventions will be delivered over six weeks and will target gait, balance, mobility, motor-cognitive interaction, and functional performance. Outcomes will include gait parameters, functional mobility, freezing of gait, cognitive function, adherence, and safety. The findings will help determine whether different VR modalities produce distinct motor and cognitive responses and will inform the design of future larger clinical trials.