Neuroplasticity Mechanisms Underlying Gait Stability in Patients with Parkinson's Disease Undergoing Virtual Reality-Based Balance Training
Abstract
mechanisms in Parkinson's disease (PD). Methods: Sixty patients with idiopathic PD were randomized to VR training (n=30) or conventional rehabilitation (n=30). The VR group underwent immersive balance training (45 min/session, 3week for 12 weeks). Assessments
included 3D gait analysis, Berg Balance Scale, Timed Up and Go test, and neuroplasticity markers (functional connectivity, DTI, and neurophysiological measures). Results: Post-intervention, the VR group demonstrated significant improvements in gait velocity (0.920.18
to 1.080.16 m/s), step length (49.09.2 to 55.08.7 cm), and double support phase (28.54.2% to 23.53.8%) (all P<0.05), with superior
outcomes versus controls (P<0.01). Neuroplasticity enhancements included increased supplementary motor area-putamen connectivity
(+38.1%), motor evoked potential amplitude (+50%), and corticospinal tract fractional anisotropy (P<0.001). Gait improvements correlated significantly with neuroplastic changes (r=0.580.78, P<0.01). Conclusion: VR balance training significantly improves gait stability
in PD through neuroplasticity mechanisms involving enhanced basal ganglia-cortical connectivity, white matter microstructural integrity,
and motor cortex excitability modulation.
Keywords
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DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.70711/pmr.v3i4.8815
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