Virtual reality application in the treatment of parkinson's disease

For the first time in the world, researchers working at the Institute of Brain Research (BMRI), University of Sydney, Australia, have found new ways to help Parkinson's patients walk easily. easier.

Researchers hope that using a computer simulation environment to improve the condition of Parkinson's patients with symptoms called " freezing gait " (FOG) , is available more than half of the Parkinson's patients are affected by FOG symptoms, which make patients feel like walking through narrow doors.

" Patients who experience FOG symptoms suddenly feel like their feet have been taped to the floor when they try to walk, often making them fall ," said Dr. Simon Lewis, director of clinical research. , Institute of Brain Research (BMRI), University of Sydney, Australia.

There are more than ½ of Parkinson's patients having difficulties
in walking, due to symptoms
called " frozen gait " (FOG)

Using a new magnetic resonance scanner (MR), a team of scientists from the Institute of Brain Research (BMRI) collaborated with doctors working at the Southern Radiology company, Sydney, Australia, to develop the environment. Virtual reality (VR) (computer simulated environment) with a series of corridors and doors, in which patients navigate using the foot pedal.

" The preliminary results that we have obtained from experiments show that, despite using virtual reality environments (VR), patients with FOG symptoms still have a delay, as they walk through the doorway. We have not noticed this in patients without symptoms of FOG symptoms or in other normal people, "said Dr Lewis.

" Moreover, we can compare the correlation in patients with FOG symptoms experienced in virtual reality environments (VR) with physical observation and evaluation in the clinic ," said Dr Lewis.

" Finally, when the patient walks into a virtual reality environment (VR) while in fact, the patient is lying in one place, so we can even use brainwave scanning to see what's going on. while patients experience FOG symptoms ".

" What is really interesting about these findings is the potential for treatment. Currently, patients experiencing FOG symptoms do not respond well to the available treatments. However, the use of one Computer simulation environment, which is seen as a new treatment method that makes Parkinson's patients able to walk more easily, without the need for medication or surgery , "concluded Dr. Lewis.

According to Dr. Lynette Masters, clinical director of MRI (magnetic resonance) imaging at the Institute of Brain Research (BMRI), University of Sydney, Australia.Parkinson's disease, dementia, drug abuse and clinical depression currently account for a significant number of all diseases associated with mental activity .

MRI (magnetic resonance) imaging uses magnetic fields and radio waves to create high-quality 2 or 3-dimensional images of neural structures without using ionizing radiation (X-rays) or tracer radiation.

" In the study, MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) technique can be used in developing new biomarkers and non-invasive imaging technology that improves our understanding of disease and end. together leading to better diagnosis and effective treatment of debilitating diseases , "said Dr. Lynette Masters.

There are more than 80,000 new Parkinson's patients in Australia, costing more than 6 billion Australian dollars a year for treatment. Dr. Lewis and his team are currently recruiting new patients for a trial that investigates whether training in a virtual reality environment is useful for Parkinson's patients, who have experienced FOG symptoms.