Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41838745›Full record

ArticlePloS one2026

Effects of a level-based immersive virtual reality physical therapy program on static and dynamic balance in Parkinson's disease: Protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

Lorena Morcillo-Martínez, María Sanz-Mármol, Adriana Isabel Romanos-Navarrete, Sandra Calvo, Lilian Le Roux-Ethève, Laura Esteban-Repiso, Paula Córdova-Alegre, Carolina Jiménez-Sánchez, Aitor Garay-Sánchez, Natalia Brandín-de la Cruz

Registry-linked trialAbstract readClinical Trial Protocol
In one paragraph

Article in PloS one, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. It is linked to trial NCT07274514 (Effects of Immersive Virtual Reality on Balance of Parkinson's Disease), which is not on this map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

NCT07274514 nacompletednot on this map

Effects of Immersive Virtual Reality on Balance of Parkinson's Disease

TypeinterventionalSponsorInstituto de Investigación Sanitaria AragónRan2025 to 2026Enrolled57ConditionsParkinson Disease (PD), Immersive Virtual Reality, Physical TherapyArmsImmersive Virtual Reality Program, Standard Rehabilitation Program
3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

10 authors.

Lorena Morcillo-MartínezDepartment of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidad San Jorge, Villanueva de Gállego, Zaragoza, Spain.
María Sanz-MármolDepartment of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidad San Jorge, Villanueva de Gállego, Zaragoza, Spain.
Adriana Isabel Romanos-NavarreteDepartment of Physiatry and Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain.
Sandra CalvoDepartment of Physiatry and Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1674-7788
Lilian Le Roux-EthèveDepartment of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidad San Jorge, Villanueva de Gállego, Zaragoza, Spain.
Laura Esteban-RepisoDepartment of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidad San Jorge, Villanueva de Gállego, Zaragoza, Spain.
Paula Córdova-AlegreDepartment of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidad San Jorge, Villanueva de Gállego, Zaragoza, Spain.
Carolina Jiménez-SánchezDepartment of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidad San Jorge, Villanueva de Gállego, Zaragoza, Spain.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2889-2226
Aitor Garay-SánchezMiguel Servet University Hospital, Institute for Health Research Aragón (IIS Aragón), Zaragoza, Spain.
Natalia Brandín-de la CruzDepartment of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidad San Jorge, Villanueva de Gállego, Zaragoza, Spain.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundParkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by postural instability, which significantly contributes to an increased risk of falls (occurring in 45-68% of persons with PD annually), leading to greater functional dependence, social isolation, and a significant decrease in quality of life. The aim of this randomized clinical trial is to evaluate the effects of an immersive virtual reality (IVR) intervention on static and dynamic balance, gait speed, functional mobility, lower limb strength, and quality of life in people with PD. Furthermore, the study will assess treatment adherence, participant satisfaction, as well as the potential occurrence of adverse effects associated with the application of IVR.

methodsA 10-month, single-blind, two-arm randomized controlled trial will be conducted with participants aged 55-90 years diagnosed with PD and classified between stages 2.5 and 4 on the modified Hoehn and Yahr scale. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups: an experimental group and a control group. The intervention will consist of an 8-session program. The first part of each session, common to both groups, will include a standardized strength training program. In the second part, the experimental group will receive a physical therapy balance program using IVR, while the control group will follow a usual physical therapy balance exercise program. DISCUSSION: This study will examine whether IVR can improve static and dynamic balance rehabilitation in Parkinson's disease beyond usual physical therapy, addressing real-world motor and dual-task challenges. By providing enriched sensory input and adaptive tasks, the IVR seeks to optimize motor learning and functional mobility. Demonstrating safety and clinically meaningful improvements would support IVR as a scalable and engaging tool to reduce risk of falls and enhance quality of life in PD.

trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov NCT07274514.

Indexed as

Parkinson DiseasePhysical Therapy ModalitiesPostural BalanceVirtual RealityVirtual Reality Exposure TherapyAgedAged, 80 and overFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedQuality of LifeRandomized Controlled Trials as TopicSingle-Blind Method

Identifiers

PMID41838745
PMCPMC12991210

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Registered trials

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.