PARKINSON DISEASE (Disorder)NCT07660978
Cognitive-Based Balance Rehabilitation in Parkinson's Disease: Virtual Reality vs. Dual Task
A study testing Dual Task Training (DTT) and Virtual Reality Training (VRT) in people with PARKINSON DISEASE (Disorder) and Parkinson Disease (PD), run by Bezmialem Vakif University.
Trial summary
This prospective, randomized, single-blind, controlled clinical trial aims to evaluate and compare the efficacy of cognitive-based balance rehabilitation delivered via immersive Virtual Reality (VR) versus traditional Dual-Task Training (DTT) on balance, gait, cognitive functions, and quality of life in patients with… Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 40 to 80 years
- Conditions the study is for
- PARKINSON DISEASE (Disorder), Parkinson Disease (PD), Parkinson s Disease
- What is being tested?
- Dual Task Training (DTT) and Virtual Reality Training (VRT)
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 34 participants
- Where
- No sites listed yet
- Study dates
- 20 Jun 2026to 30 Dec 2027
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
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 40 to 80 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease by a neurologist.
- Hoehn \& Yahr Stage I-III.
- Aged between 40-80 years.
- Literate and capable of performing basic mathematical calculations.
- Montreal Cognitive Assessment≥21
- Stable pharmacological treatment.
- Physician's approval for exercise participation.
Who cannot join
- Currently participating in another exercise or drug trial.
- Presence of any additional neurological disorders.
- Significant musculoskeletal disorders, arthritis, or cardiovascular disease.
- Uncontrolled epilepsy or severe orthostatic hypotension.
- Engaged in regular moderate-intensity exercise more than once a week in the last 6 months.
About this study
Official title: Effects of Cognitive-Based Balance Rehabilitation on Balance, Gait and Cognitive Functions in Parkinson's Disease Patients: Comparison of Virtual Reality and Dual Task
This prospective, randomized, single-blind, controlled clinical trial aims to evaluate and compare the efficacy of cognitive-based balance rehabilitation delivered via immersive Virtual Reality (VR) versus traditional Dual-Task Training (DTT) on balance, gait, cognitive functions, and quality of life in patients with Parkinson's Disease (PD). Postural instability and cognitive decline are hallmark features of progressive PD that significantly elevate fall risks and compromise daily independence, yet conventional pharmacological therapies offer limited effectiveness in restoring complex postural control. Given that motor and cognitive processes are intrinsically linked, this study addresses a critical gap in neurorehabilitation by investigating two contemporary modalities designed to challenge these systems simultaneously. A total of 34 participants diagnosed with PD (aged 40-80 years, Hoehn and Yahr stages I-III) will be randomly allocated to either the Dual-Task Group (DTG), receiving structured therapeutic exercises integrated with sequential cognitive tasks, or the Virtual Reality Group (VRG), engaging in an immersive balance program utilizing the Oculus Quest 2® headset with the FIT-XR application. Both groups will undergo an identical intervention protocol consisting of 45-minute supervised sessions, conducted twice weekly for 8 consecutive weeks during their pharmacological "on" phase. Standardized assessments will be performed by a blinded clinician at baseline and post-intervention (Week 8). The primary outcome measures will be dynamic balance and gait assessed through the Mini-Balance Evaluations Systems Test (Mini-BESTest) alongside global cognitive performance measured via the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). Secondary outcomes will encompass objective posturographic indices using the Biodex Balance System, motor severity via the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS-III), freezing of gait, health-related quality of life, global perceived improvement, and potential cyber-sickness symptoms monitored through the Virtual Reality Sickness Questionnaire (VRSQ) to comprehensively determine the safety and comparative therapeutic value of these interventions.
- Conditions
- PARKINSON DISEASE (Disorder), Parkinson Disease (PD), Parkinson s Disease, Postural Instability, Postural Instability Gait Disorders, Gait Disorders
- Being tested
- Dual Task Training (DTT), Virtual Reality Training (VRT)
- Keywords
- Parkinson Disease, Postural Instability, Gait Disorders, Cognitive Dysfunction, Dual Task, Virtual Reality
- Medical subject headings
- Parkinson Disease, Mobility Limitation, Cognitive Dysfunction
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Dual Task Training (DTT)Other
A supervised physical therapy program consisting of motor balance and postural control exercises executed simultaneously with secondary cognitive tasks. The physical component includes progressive static and dynamic balance training, functional gait training, and coordination exercises. The concurrent cognitive tasks involve backward counting, mental arithmetic, and working memory retrieval. The intervention is delivered in 45-minute sessions, twice a week for 8 weeks (16 sessions total) by a certified physiotherapist.
Virtual Reality Training (VRT)Other
An immersive virtual reality rehabilitation program utilizing the Oculus Quest 3® VR headset. Participants engage in motion-based exercises within the clinically validated FIT-XR software application, specifically targeting multi-directional reaching, stepping, upper and lower limb coordination, and dynamic weight shifting. The exercise intensity, session duration (45 minutes), and frequency (twice weekly for 8 weeks, 16 sessions total) are tightly matched to the Dual Task Group. All sessions are fully supervised by a physiotherapist with standard safety measures.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Dual Task Group | Active comparator | Participants in this group will undergo a supervised, structured therapeutic exercise program specifically designed for balance and postural control, which will be integrated with concurrent, increasingly complex cognitive tasks (such as counting backward, calculation, or memory retrieval). The intervention will consist of 45-minute sessions held twice a week for 8 consecutive weeks, totaling 16 sessions. All exercises will be conducted by a physiotherapist during the patients' pharmacological 'on' phase. Receives: Other: Dual Task Training (DTT) |
| Virtual Reality Group | Active comparator | Participants in this group will engage in an immersive Virtual Reality (VR) balance rehabilitation program utilizing the Oculus Quest 3® headset. They will play the clinically validated FIT-XR application, which is tailored to target upper and lower extremity coordinate functions and dynamic balance. The exercise intensity, session duration (45 minutes), and frequency (twice a week for 8 weeks, totaling 16 sessions) will be identical to the Dual Task Group. Sessions will be supervised by a physiotherapist during the patients' pharmacological 'on' phase, with full safety protocols implemented to prevent fall risks. Receives: Other: Virtual Reality Training (VRT) |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Mini-Balance Evaluations Systems Test
A 14-item clinical rating scale specifically focused on dynamic gait and postural control across four domains: anticipatory postural adjustments, reactive postural responses, sensory orientation, and dynamic gait. Each item is scored on a scale from 0 (unable to perform) to 2 (normal performance). The total score ranges from 0 to 28, where higher scores indicate better dynamic balance and superior postural performance.
Measured: Baseline and Week 8
Secondary outcomes (7)
Montreal Cognitive Assessment
A 30-point screening instrument designed to detect mild cognitive impairment and dementia by evaluating short-term memory, visuospatial abilities, executive function, language, attention, concentration, working memory, and orientation. The total score ranges from 0 to 30, with higher scores indicating better global cognitive function.
Measured: Baseline and Week 8
Biodex Balance System
Postural stability (anterior-posterior stability index, mediolateral stability index, general stability index), fall risk index, and limits of stability will be assessed using the Biodex Balance System. Higher scores on stability indices indicate poorer postural stability, while higher scores on limits of stability indicate better postural control.
Measured: Baseline and Week 8
Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale - Part III (Motor Examination)
A comprehensive clinical rating scale used to evaluate the severity of motor symptoms in Parkinson's disease. Part III involves the objective motor examination. Each item is scored from 0 (unaffected) to 4 (most severely affected), yielding a total score ranging from 0 to 108. Higher scores indicate greater disease severity and more pronounced motor impairment.
Measured: Baseline and Week 8
Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire-39
A 39-item self-administered, disease-specific health status instrument evaluating quality of life across 8 dimensions. Each item is scored on a scale from 0 (never) to 4 (always). Individual dimension scores and the global index are standardized to range from 0 to 100. Higher scores indicate worse quality of life (more frequent difficulties), while lower scores reflect better health status.
Measured: Baseline and Week 8
Freezing of Gait Questionnaire
A 6-item self-report questionnaire designed to evaluate the severity of freezing of gait and its impact on walking performance. It includes 4 items on freezing severity and 2 items on general walking difficulty, with each item scored from 0 to 4. The total score ranges from 0 to 24, where higher scores indicate more severe freezing of gait and a greater negative impact on gait performance.
Measured: Baseline and Week 8
Global Rating of Change Scale
A 5-point Likert scale used to measure participants' subjective perception of overall health change and treatment satisfaction over the course of the study. Total scores range from -2 to +2, where -2 represents "much worse", 0 represents "the same", and +2 represents "much better". Higher scores indicate greater perceived improvement and higher treatment satisfaction.
Measured: Post-intervention (Week 8)
Virtual Reality Sickness Questionnaire
A 9-item self-report questionnaire assessing general oculomotor discomfort and disorientation following the virtual reality intervention. Items are scored using a 4-point Likert scale from 0 (none) to 3 (severe). The total score ranges from 0 to 27, where higher scores indicate worse and more severe cyber-sickness symptoms. This measure is evaluated only for the Virtual Reality Group.
Measured: Post-intervention (Week 8)
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted22 Jun 2026
- Study start20 Jun 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion30 Jun 2027 (estimated)
- Study completion30 Dec 2027 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for PARKINSON DISEASE (Disorder)Studies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by Bezmialem Vakif UniversityThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- 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
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 34 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Bezmialem Vakif University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07660978
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- E-35700536-108.99-176309
- Status last verified
- Jun 2026
- First submitted
- 16 Jun 2026
- Last updated
- 25 Jun 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 25 Jun 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Effects of Cognitive-Based Balance Rehabilitation on Balance, Gait and Cognitive Functions in Parkinson's Disease Patients: Comparison of Virtual Reality and Dual Task
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07660978
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- E-35700536-108.99-176309
- Conditions
- PARKINSON DISEASE (Disorder), Parkinson Disease (PD), Parkinson s Disease, Postural Instability, Postural Instability Gait Disorders, Gait Disorders
- Keywords
- Parkinson Disease, Postural Instability, Gait Disorders, Cognitive Dysfunction, Dual Task, Virtual Reality
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Not yet recruiting
- Enrolment
- 34 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Bezmialem Vakif UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 20 Jun 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion
- 30 Jun 2027 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 30 Dec 2027 (estimated)
- First posted
- 22 Jun 2026 (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.
This prospective, randomized, single-blind, controlled clinical trial aims to evaluate and compare the efficacy of cognitive-based balance rehabilitation delivered via immersive Virtual Reality (VR) versus traditional Dual-Task Training (DTT) on balance, gait, cognitive functions, and quality of life in patients with Parkinson's Disease (PD). Postural instability and cognitive decline are hallmark features of progressive PD that significantly elevate fall risks and compromise daily independence, yet conventional pharmacological therapies offer limited effectiveness in restoring complex postural control. Given that motor and cognitive processes are intrinsically linked, this study addresses a critical gap in neurorehabilitation by investigating two contemporary modalities designed to challenge these systems simultaneously. A total of 34 participants diagnosed with PD (aged 40-80 years, Hoehn and Yahr stages I-III) will be randomly allocated to either the Dual-Task Group (DTG), receiving structured therapeutic exercises integrated with sequential cognitive tasks, or the Virtual Reality Group (VRG), engaging in an immersive balance program utilizing the Oculus Quest 2® headset with the FIT-XR application. Both groups will undergo an identical intervention protocol consisting of 45-minute supervised sessions, conducted twice weekly for 8 consecutive weeks during their pharmacological "on" phase. Standardized assessments will be performed by a blinded clinician at baseline and post-intervention (Week 8). The primary outcome measures will be dynamic balance and gait assessed through the Mini-Balance Evaluations Systems Test (Mini-BESTest) alongside global cognitive performance measured via the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). Secondary outcomes will encompass objective posturographic indices using the Biodex Balance System, motor severity via the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS-III), freezing of gait, health-related quality of life, global perceived improvement, and potential cyber-sickness symptoms monitored through the Virtual Reality Sickness Questionnaire (VRSQ) to comprehensively determine the safety and comparative therapeutic value of these interventions.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Dual Task Group | Active comparator | Other: Dual Task Training (DTT)Participants in this group will undergo a supervised, structured therapeutic exercise program specifically designed for balance and postural control, which will be integrated with concurrent, increasingly complex cognitive tasks (such as counting backward, calculation, or memory retrieval). The intervention will consist of 45-minute sessions held twice a week for 8 consecutive weeks, totaling 16 sessions. All exercises will be conducted by a physiotherapist during the patients' pharmacological 'on' phase. |
| Virtual Reality Group | Active comparator | Other: Virtual Reality Training (VRT)Participants in this group will engage in an immersive Virtual Reality (VR) balance rehabilitation program utilizing the Oculus Quest 3® headset. They will play the clinically validated FIT-XR application, which is tailored to target upper and lower extremity coordinate functions and dynamic balance. The exercise intensity, session duration (45 minutes), and frequency (twice a week for 8 weeks, totaling 16 sessions) will be identical to the Dual Task Group. Sessions will be supervised by a physiotherapist during the patients' pharmacological 'on' phase, with full safety protocols implemented to prevent fall risks. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 40 to 80 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (7 listed)
- Diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease by a neurologist.
- Hoehn \& Yahr Stage I-III.
- Aged between 40-80 years.
- Literate and capable of performing basic mathematical calculations.
- Montreal Cognitive Assessment≥21
Key exclusion criteria (5 listed)
- Currently participating in another exercise or drug trial.
- Presence of any additional neurological disorders.
- Significant musculoskeletal disorders, arthritis, or cardiovascular disease.
- Uncontrolled epilepsy or severe orthostatic hypotension.
- Engaged in regular moderate-intensity exercise more than once a week in the last 6 months.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Dual Task Training (DTT)A supervised physical therapy program consisting of motor balance and postural control exercises executed simultaneously with secondary cognitive tasks. The physical component includes progressive static and dynamic balance training, functional gait training, and coordination exercises. The concurrent cognitive tasks involve backward counting, mental arithmetic, and working memory retrieval. The intervention is delivered in 45-minute sessions, twice a week for 8 weeks (16 sessions total) by a certified physiotherapist. | Other | Dual Task Group |
| Virtual Reality Training (VRT)An immersive virtual reality rehabilitation program utilizing the Oculus Quest 3® VR headset. Participants engage in motion-based exercises within the clinically validated FIT-XR software application, specifically targeting multi-directional reaching, stepping, upper and lower limb coordination, and dynamic weight shifting. The exercise intensity, session duration (45 minutes), and frequency (twice weekly for 8 weeks, 16 sessions total) are tightly matched to the Dual Task Group. All sessions are fully supervised by a physiotherapist with standard safety measures. | Other | Virtual Reality Group |
Primary outcome
Mini-Balance Evaluations Systems Test
Time frame: Baseline and Week 8
A 14-item clinical rating scale specifically focused on dynamic gait and postural control across four domains: anticipatory postural adjustments, reactive postural responses, sensory orientation, and dynamic gait. Each item is scored on a scale from 0 (unable to perform) to 2 (normal performance). The total score ranges from 0 to 28, where higher scores indicate better dynamic balance and superior postural performance.
7 secondary outcomes
Montreal Cognitive Assessment
Time frame: Baseline and Week 8
Biodex Balance System
Time frame: Baseline and Week 8
Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale - Part III (Motor Examination)
Time frame: Baseline and Week 8
Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire-39
Time frame: Baseline and Week 8
Freezing of Gait Questionnaire
Time frame: Baseline and Week 8
Global Rating of Change Scale
Time frame: Post-intervention (Week 8)
Virtual Reality Sickness Questionnaire
Time frame: Post-intervention (Week 8)
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 25 Jun 2026.
Related trials for PARKINSON DISEASE (Disorder)
Not yet recruitingPhase 1/2
STAR0602 With Nivolumab in Non Small Cell Lung Cancer and in Metastatic Castrate-Resistant Prostate Cancer, and STAR0602 Alone in Thymic Carcinoma
NSCLC, Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
Enrolling by invitationObservational study
Early Molecular Biomarkers for Differentiating Parkinsonian Syndromes
PARKINSON DISEASE (Disorder), Atypical Parkinsonism
RecruitingPhase 3
A Clinical Study of Sacituzumab Tirumotecan (MK-2870) in Combination With Pembrolizumab (MK-3475) as First-line Maintenance Treatment of Cervical Cancer (MK-2870-036/TroFuse-036/GOG-3123/ENGOT-cx22)
Cervical Cancer
Active, not recruitingPhase 1/2
Clinical Safety and Efficacy of Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stromal Cells-derived Exosomes in Patients With Parkinson's Disease
Parkinson Disease (PD)
Active, not recruitingObservational study
Adaptive DBS to Offset STN Dysregulation During Exercise in PD
Parkinson Disease
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.
The record lists no contact. Use the official record to reach the sponsor.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Dual Task Training (DTT) and Virtual Reality Training (VRT) in people with PARKINSON DISEASE (Disorder) and Parkinson Disease (PD), run by Bezmialem Vakif University.
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 7 inclusion and 5 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: opening soon, as of the sponsor's last update on 25 Jun 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
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?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
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?
Mini-Balance Evaluations Systems Test (time frame: Baseline and Week 8). 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 25 Jun 2026.