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.