Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a progressive neurological condition that significantly impairs motor and cognitive functions, presenting unique challenges for effective rehabilitation. However, technology is offering new hope. We’ve developed a multi-scenario virtual reality (VR) application specifically designed for PD rehabilitation, and early results are promising!

Key Features:

1. Exercise Scenario: Patients engage in a series of tasks designed to improve motor skills and hand-eye coordination, such as grabbing cubes or placing objects precisely.
2. City Simulation: Offers a safe environment where patients can practice daily activities like walking and handling everyday objects.
3. Relaxation Scene: Provides soothing sounds and interactive elements that calm and relax patients after exercises, fostering tranquility.
4. Cognitive Scene: Engages patients with activities that require careful attention and timing, such as making tea or performing mental exercises.

Effectiveness:

• The system meticulously records key performance metrics like hand tremors and movement rates to measure progress.
• A pilot study involving two PD patients showed significant improvements in tremor frequency and task completion.
• Participant feedback has led to critical refinements and enhancements, ensuring the scenarios are both user-friendly and therapeutically effective.

Challenges & Improvements:

• Some exercises require adjustments to accommodate shorter patients or non-English speakers, making commands easier to comprehend.
• Attention-testing exercises have been refined to address color differentiation issues.

Usability Score: The application scored an impressive 87.625 on the System Usability Scale (SUS), making it a recommended tool according to the SUS standards. The positive participant feedback underscores its potential as a transformative tool in PD rehabilitation.

Conclusion: This VR-based solution offers a comprehensive and engaging rehabilitation environment for PD patients, supporting both motor and cognitive improvements. As technology evolves, VR is poised to transform rehabilitation therapy for Parkinson’s and beyond! 🌐

This graduation project is the work of Yassin Kazem from the Computer Networks Engineering department supervised by Asst. Lec. Saad Badie Younis.