Parkinson DiseaseNCT06147726
Upper Extremity Rehabilitation With Virtual Reality in Parkinson's Disease Patients
A study testing Upper extremity position matching exercises in virtual reality and Conventional physiotherapy in people with Parkinson Disease and Virtual Reality, run by Ramazan KURUL at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
Trial summary
Upper extremities are the first part of the body to be affected by Parkinson's disease. Although studies have shown that virtual reality-assisted rehabilitation methods are effective on gait and balance, studies on their use for upper extremity rehabilitation are limited. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Any age
- Conditions the study is for
- Parkinson Disease, Virtual Reality, Neurological Rehabilitation
- What is being tested?
- Upper extremity position matching exercises in virtual reality and Conventional physiotherapy
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 44 participants
- Where
- 1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
- Study dates
- 1 Nov 2023to 15 Oct 2024
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages Any age
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Child, Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Accepting to participate in the research
- Being diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease by a neurologist
- Continuing anti-parkinsonian medication
- Hoehn-Yahr (H-Y) stage 3 and below
- Ability to walk independently
- To have full range of motion in shoulder abduction and elbow extension movements
Who cannot join
- Presence of additional neurological diseases other than Parkinson's Disease
- Scores below 21 on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment Scale
- Change in medication dosage in the last 1 month
- Severe visual impairment or complete hearing impairment in both ears
- Having a rheumatologic, musculoskeletal, etc. disease that may affect upper extremity functions
- The occurrence of severe tremors or dyskinesias due to the end of the drug dose
- Failing the Titmus butterfly test
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
Turkey (Türkiye)1 site
Faculty of Health Sciences Bolu Abant Izzet Baysal University
Bolu, Merkez, 14100
About this study
Official title: Effectiveness of Virtual Reality Supported Upper Extremity Position Matching Exercises in Parkinson's Disease Patients
Upper extremities are the first part of the body to be affected by Parkinson's disease. Although studies have shown that virtual reality-assisted rehabilitation methods are effective on gait and balance, studies on their use for upper extremity rehabilitation are limited. For this reason, the aim of the project is to examine whether virtual reality supported upper extremity position matching exercises, which will be specially prepared according to joint ranges of motion, will provide functional improvement in the upper extremities of individuals with Parkinson's disease.
Read the detailed description
Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by motor disorders. Difficulties in using the upper limbs caused by these motor impairments are common with the disease. Upper limb motor impairments in PD include slowness of movement, difficulties in performing sequential tasks and limitations in upper limb function. Studies show that the upper extremities are usually the most affected body region in the early stages of PD. Despite this, the number of rehabilitation methods that can be used for upper extremity rehabilitation is limited. Impairments in upper extremity motor function constitute a leading problem in the lives of individuals with PD by affecting their ability to perform activities of daily living. Virtual reality applications stand out as an innovative approach in neurorehabilitation. Previous studies have reported positive effects of virtual reality on gait function and balance in PD. However, the number of studies designed with virtual reality for the upper limb is limited. Therefore, this project aims to fill the gap in the literature by examining the effectiveness of virtual reality-based rehabilitation in PD with a particular focus on upper extremity motor function and proprioception.
- Conditions
- Parkinson Disease, Virtual Reality, Neurological Rehabilitation, Upper Extremity Dysfunction
- Being tested
- Upper extremity position matching exercises in virtual reality, Conventional physiotherapy
- Medical subject headings
- Parkinson Disease
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Upper extremity position matching exercises in virtual realityOther
In addition to conventional treatment approaches for 20 minutes 2 days a week for 8 weeks, joint positioning exercises (4 different game sequences of 4 minutes, 1 minute rest between each sequence, total 20 minutes) designed specifically for the individual's existing range of motion will be applied to the VR group.
Conventional physiotherapyOther
proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation techniques, parkinson-specific upper extremity and balance and gait exercises
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| VR group | Active comparator | group to receive virtual reality supported upper extremity rehabilitation in addition to conventional physiotherapy Receives: Other: Upper extremity position matching exercises in virtual reality; Other: Conventional physiotherapy |
| Control group | Active comparator | The group that will receive conventional physiotherapy for the total treatment time of the VR group Receives: Other: Conventional physiotherapy |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Box and Block Test (BBT)
The Box and Block Test (BBT) is widely used in neurological rehabilitation to assess upper extremity motor function, gross manual dexterity, and coordination. The test apparatus consists of a partitioned box measuring 53.7 × 25.4 × 8.5 cm and 150 wooden cubes.
During administration, the box is placed in front of the participant with the partition aligned to the midline. The participant is instructed to transfer the cubes from one compartment to the other using the test hand as quickly as possible. At the end of the trial, the therapist records the score by counting the number of cubes successfully transferred.
Measured: through study completion, an average of 1 year
Proprioception Assessment
Position, i.e. proprioceptive sensation, will be evaluated with the "angle repetition test", one of the methods commonly used in the clinic. The person will be positioned in a sitting position with his/her back unsupported and feet touching the floor. The angle repetition test will be performed with a mobile device fixed above the elbow and between the shoulder. The person's eyes will be closed during the assessment to prevent the learning effect and the use of visual reference. After the shoulder is brought to the reference angle, the person is allowed to perceive the angle by waiting 10 seconds. The person will then be asked to bring his/her shoulder to the side of his/her body and then repeat the taught reference angle as he/she perceived it. The absolute value of the angle deviated from the target will be recorded. Measurements in the shoulder joint will be made at 40° and 100° angles.
Measured: through study completion, an average of 1 year
Secondary outcomes (4)
Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale
It is the most frequently used, valid and reliable scale for the assessment of impairments and disabilities in PD. It contains 42 items, consists of 4 sections and assesses patients' mental status, behavior and mental state (4 items), activities of daily living (13 items), motor functions (14 items) and treatment complications (11 items), respectively. Mental status; 16 points, activities of daily living; 52 points, motor functions; 108 points and treatment complications; 23 points, totaling 199 points. Higher scores indicate worsening of the patient's condition. An 8-point change in the total score was found to determine minimal clinically significant change.
Measured: through study completion, an average of 1 year
Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand Questionnaire
It is a questionnaire consisting of a total of 30 questions used to evaluate the ability of the patient with upper extremity problems in activities of daily living and upper extremity functions. The first 21 questions ask about the degree of difficulty in performing various activities of daily living with the dominant limb in the last week, the next 5 questions ask about the degree of pain, numbness, weakness during activities and the last 4 questions ask about the effect of pathologies on sleep, work, social life and psychological status. For each question, the patient marked the appropriate response on a 5-point Likert-type scale. 1 indicates no difficulty, 2 indicates mild difficulty, 3 indicates moderate difficulty, 4 indicates extreme difficulty, and 5 indicates no difficulty at all. The questionnaire is evaluated between 30 and 150 points.
Measured: through study completion, an average of 1 year
Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire (PDQ-8)
The questions in the PDQ-8 assess the condition of the individual in the last 1 month and are scored between 0 (never) and 4 (always). The total score is converted to a 100-point system and a high score indicates a decrease in quality of life.
Measured: through study completion, an average of 1 year
Intrinsic Motivation Inventory (IMI)
The Intrinsic Motivation Inventory (IMI) is used to assess motivation and satisfaction during task performance. It is a multidimensional questionnaire that evaluates interest/enjoyment, perceived competence, pressure/tension, perceived choice, and value/usefulness. Responses are rated on a Likert scale ranging from "not at all true" to "very true." The total motivation score is calculated by summing the item scores.
Measured: average 1 year after the completion of the study
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted28 Nov 2023
- Study start1 Nov 2023
- Primary completion1 Oct 2024
- Study completion15 Oct 2024
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Parkinson DiseaseStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Model description
- 2 groups, conventional physiotherapy to the control group
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 44 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Ramazan KURUL
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Abant Izzet Baysal University
- Responsible party
- Sponsor-investigator, Ramazan KURUL, Abant Izzet Baysal University
- Investigators
- Ramazan Kurul, Ph.D, Principal investigator, Abant Izzet Baysal University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06147726
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- AIBU-FTR-BENLI-005
- Status last verified
- Mar 2026
- First submitted
- 27 Sep 2023
- Last updated
- 31 Mar 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 31 Mar 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Effectiveness of Virtual Reality Supported Upper Extremity Position Matching Exercises in Parkinson's Disease Patients
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06147726
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- AIBU-FTR-BENLI-005
- Conditions
- Parkinson Disease, Virtual Reality, Neurological Rehabilitation, Upper Extremity Dysfunction
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 44 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Ramazan KURULUniversity, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Abant Izzet Baysal University
- Study start
- 1 Nov 2023 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 1 Oct 2024 (actual)
- Study completion
- 15 Oct 2024 (actual)
- First posted
- 28 Nov 2023 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
Upper extremities are the first part of the body to be affected by Parkinson's disease. Although studies have shown that virtual reality-assisted rehabilitation methods are effective on gait and balance, studies on their use for upper extremity rehabilitation are limited. For this reason, the aim of the project is to examine whether virtual reality supported upper extremity position matching exercises, which will be specially prepared according to joint ranges of motion, will provide functional improvement in the upper extremities of individuals with Parkinson's disease.
Detailed description
Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by motor disorders. Difficulties in using the upper limbs caused by these motor impairments are common with the disease. Upper limb motor impairments in PD include slowness of movement, difficulties in performing sequential tasks and limitations in upper limb function. Studies show that the upper extremities are usually the most affected body region in the early stages of PD. Despite this, the number of rehabilitation methods that can be used for upper extremity rehabilitation is limited. Impairments in upper extremity motor function constitute a leading problem in the lives of individuals with PD by affecting their ability to perform activities of daily living. Virtual reality applications stand out as an innovative approach in neurorehabilitation. Previous studies have reported positive effects of virtual reality on gait function and balance in PD. However, the number of studies designed with virtual reality for the upper limb is limited. Therefore, this project aims to fill the gap in the literature by examining the effectiveness of virtual reality-based rehabilitation in PD with a particular focus on upper extremity motor function and proprioception.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 2
- Model description
- 2 groups, conventional physiotherapy to the control group
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| VR group | Active comparator | Other: Upper extremity position matching exercises in virtual reality, Other: Conventional physiotherapygroup to receive virtual reality supported upper extremity rehabilitation in addition to conventional physiotherapy |
| Control group | Active comparator | Other: Conventional physiotherapyThe group that will receive conventional physiotherapy for the total treatment time of the VR group |
Who may qualify
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Child, Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (6 listed)
- Accepting to participate in the research
- Being diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease by a neurologist
- Continuing anti-parkinsonian medication
- Hoehn-Yahr (H-Y) stage 3 and below
- Ability to walk independently
Key exclusion criteria (7 listed)
- Presence of additional neurological diseases other than Parkinson's Disease
- Scores below 21 on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment Scale
- Change in medication dosage in the last 1 month
- Severe visual impairment or complete hearing impairment in both ears
- Having a rheumatologic, musculoskeletal, etc. disease that may affect upper extremity functions
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Upper extremity position matching exercises in virtual realityIn addition to conventional treatment approaches for 20 minutes 2 days a week for 8 weeks, joint positioning exercises (4 different game sequences of 4 minutes, 1 minute rest between each sequence, total 20 minutes) designed specifically for the individual's existing range of motion will be applied to the VR group. | Other | VR group |
| Conventional physiotherapyproprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation techniques, parkinson-specific upper extremity and balance and gait exercises | Other | Control group, VR group |
Primary outcome
Box and Block Test (BBT)
Time frame: through study completion, an average of 1 year
The Box and Block Test (BBT) is widely used in neurological rehabilitation to assess upper extremity motor function, gross manual dexterity, and coordination. The test apparatus consists of a partitioned box measuring 53.7 × 25.4 × 8.5 cm and 150 wooden cubes. During administration, the box is placed in front of the participant with the partition aligned to the midline. The participant is instructed to transfer the cubes from one compartment to the other using the test hand as quickly as possible. At the end of the trial, the therapist records the score by counting the number of cubes successfully transferred.
Proprioception Assessment
Time frame: through study completion, an average of 1 year
Position, i.e. proprioceptive sensation, will be evaluated with the "angle repetition test", one of the methods commonly used in the clinic. The person will be positioned in a sitting position with his/her back unsupported and feet touching the floor. The angle repetition test will be performed with a mobile device fixed above the elbow and between the shoulder. The person's eyes will be closed during the assessment to prevent the learning effect and the use of visual reference. After the shoulder is brought to the reference angle, the person is allowed to perceive the angle by waiting 10 seconds. The person will then be asked to bring his/her shoulder to the side of his/her body and then repeat the taught reference angle as he/she perceived it. The absolute value of the angle deviated from the target will be recorded. Measurements in the shoulder joint will be made at 40° and 100° angles.
4 secondary outcomes
Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale
Time frame: through study completion, an average of 1 year
Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand Questionnaire
Time frame: through study completion, an average of 1 year
Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire (PDQ-8)
Time frame: through study completion, an average of 1 year
Intrinsic Motivation Inventory (IMI)
Time frame: average 1 year after the completion of the study
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 31 Mar 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
Ramazan Kurul, Ph.D principal investigator
Abant Izzet Baysal University
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Upper extremity position matching exercises in virtual reality and Conventional physiotherapy in people with Parkinson Disease and Virtual Reality, run by Ramazan KURUL at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 6 inclusion and 7 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 31 Mar 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye). Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Box and Block Test (BBT) (time frame: through study completion, an average of 1 year). The study lists 2 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 31 Mar 2026.