Immersive Virtual Reality Exercise Games for People with PD?

[Michel0220]

For some time I have been toying with the idea of using VR exercise games to manage my symptoms. Does anyone have any experience of this?

Below is an article on this topic. I wonder if they are off the shelf exercise games that people have been using and found to be useful?

link.springer.com/chapter/1...

[Fed1000]

Hi Michel,interesting. I have been a subscriber for two years to BrainHQ from Posit Science, which I find useful and very varied. A big thank you for your always very stimulants posts. All the best

[Michel0220 in reply to Fed1000]

Thank you very much Fed. I am familiar with Brain HQ and use Elevate and Peak daily. I would like to explore the possibilities offered by virtual reality to improve cognitive and motor skills. It is a slightly uncharted territory to be frank but I believe it is worth a try. Gamification of mental and physical exercise might make it more interesting and captivating.

[Kia17]

Interesting .Thank you for sharing, Michel.

[Michel0220 in reply to Kia17]

Thank you very much Kia.

[LeharLover62]

I’ve been trying to get hubby to use my VR boxing app in VR…he was a bit too slow in his reactions to play it but it might be worth a try! It can be played sitting if you have balance challenges.

[Michel0220 in reply to LeharLover62]

Hi LL,Thank you very much for your reply. VR boxing is a great idea indeed.

How long do you use the VR for? Don’t you feel dizzy after a while?

[LeharLover62 in reply to Michel0220]

Usually about 40 minutes. I’m healthy though it’s hubby who has PD. Dissiness and nausea vary by person and app, so it’s worth trying different things.

[Michel0220 in reply to LeharLover62]

Perfect. Thank you very much LL!

[Zella23]

Sounds worth exploring as my husband with PD uses the Wi fit games such as boxing, cycling, table tennis, golf etc when indoors but not explored VR games. Interesting reading thanks. He finds manual dexterity challenging and frustrating maybe it might help. Thanks for posting.

[Michel0220 in reply to Zella23]

Thank you very much Zella. Here is a review of some of the exercise games that are on the market: greatist.com/fitness/best-v...

[Zella23 in reply to Michel0220]

Thank you

[Bramma]

I use my sons VR to play beat saver which helps tremendously with cognitive and physical exercise. It’s a great way of improving my motor skills and exercising when I can’t get out to play tennis. It doesn’t seem to reduce my tremor but then nothing I’ve found does just the knowledge that I’m slowing down the progression of PD is enough to motivate me.

[Michel0220 in reply to Bramma]

Thank you very much Bramma, this is very encouraging.

[Raphaekg]

I have an Oculus 2, a relatively affordable platform for VR gaming. Some games do cause dizziness; others not at all. I spend some time every day with games designed to increase cardio-fitness and strength, like virtual boxing. I don't think it's sufficient activity to maximize the effects of exercise of PD symptom relief. For that, I run on a treadmill every single day.

[Michel0220 in reply to Raphaekg]

Hi RaphaekgThank you very much for your message.

I just bought an Oculus 2 this morning actually!

I am not aiming to use it for physical exercise as such (like you, I walk quite a bit and also cycle and lift weights). I am more targeting movement coordination through games like Saber or boxing.

I will report back once I have tried it out!

[Sane1]

A year ago my kids bought me a VR system. Since I have been enjoying Rock Steady Boxing for years they figured I may enjoy some of the boxing programs available for it. I tried the boxing Fit XR game and loved it. It has you using your specific boxing moves to punch out lights coming at you at varying speeds. Your scores depend on your speed and accuracy. It is set to music and you can choose your different levels of play. I get my heart rate going and break a sweat. I find it another form of exercise and along with biking, walking, weight work and RSB I believe it is at least neuroprotective. If you can enjoy your exercise you are more likely to participate.

[Michel0220 in reply to Sane1]

Hi SaneThank you very much for sharing your experience. VR boxing is definitely on my list (together with Sabre!).

[Michel0220]

Update

I have now received my Oculus Quest 2 virtual reality device and have experimented with 2 apps: Sabre and Thrill of the Fight (a boxing game).

I must say that the quality of the 3D immersive experience is amazing and the possibilities of virtual reality are infinite (exercise, meditation, visiting remote places and amazing museum et cetera).

When it comes to the two applications that I specifically targeted:

- Sabre: I suffer from a lot of rigidity and slowness in my arms and this game exercises them without me thinking about it. It is also very good for training my reflexes… and it is fun!

- Thrill of the Fight: we all know the benefits of boxing for PwPs and this app is so realistic that it will literally leave you physically exhausted after one round!

This is a true exercise app and it allows you to practice boxing in your own living room (you need a 2mX2m space).

So, what are the downsides:

- if you have poor balance or mobility this is probably not one for you! Having said that, some applications (meditation, visiting museum et cetera ) can be used on a stationary basis (sitting).

- some of the games will require you to have enough space around you to move around a bit. If you don’t have enough space you might end up injuring yourself or your furniture!

- if you are familiar with video games, the jump to virtual reality is not a massive one. If you’re not at all familiar with video games, this may not be one for you.

- virtual reality can be quite tiring so you should not play those things for too long

- Oculus works better on PC than on Mac though I am a Mac user and can use it fine.

There are many videos about Oculus on YouTube but the one below reflects my experience and illustrates the Sabre application (scroll to min 11): youtu.be/gFJg5TsixH4(Not working as expected?)