Extended Reality Rehabilitation in Parkinson's Disease

Résumé succinct

This study investigates how different types of extended reality, Virtual Reality (fully immersive) and Mixed Reality (partly real-world), can be used in rehabilitation for people with Parkinson's disease. Participants will attend a single 45-minute session at the Rehabilitation Center of UZ Ghent, where they will perform a simple balloon-popping task twice using a VR headset, once in each environment. During the exercises, they will be safely supported to prevent falls, while a wearable device measures physical responses such as heart rate and skin conductance. After each task, participants will complete short questionnaires about their experience and mental effort. The study aims to determine which type of extended reality is preferred and how each affects physical and mental responses, supporting the development of more accessible rehabilitation approaches.