Virtual Reality and Body Weight–Supported Treadmill Training in Gait Rehabilitation for Parkinson Disease: A Systematic Review.

Objective: To compare evidence on virtual reality (VR) and body weight–supported treadmill training (BWSTT) for gait rehabilitation in Parkinson's disease (PD) using a narrative review. Design: A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, PEDro, SciELO, Cochrane, and LILACS through March 2024, follo...

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Publicado en:American Journal of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Vol. 105; no. 7; pp. 603 - 612
Autores principales: Battaglion, Gabriella Gonçalves Senno, Boni, Fernanda da Silva, Zhang, Kelly, Rosa, Gustavo Henrique de Mello, de Araujo, João Eduardo
Formato: research systematic review tables/charts Journal Article
Publicado: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Jul2026
Acceso en línea:Ver este registro en EBSCOhost
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      dt: Jul2026
      vid: 105
      iid: 7
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      pub: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
      place: Baltimore, Maryland
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        atl: Virtual Reality and Body Weight–Supported Treadmill Training in Gait Rehabilitation for Parkinson Disease: A Systematic Review.
      aug:
        au:
          Battaglion, Gabriella Gonçalves Senno
          Boni, Fernanda da Silva
          Zhang, Kelly
          Rosa, Gustavo Henrique de Mello
          de Araujo, João Eduardo
        affil: Department of Health Sciences, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo (FMRP-USP), Brazil
      sug:
        subj:
          Parkinson Disease Rehabilitation
          Gait Training
          Virtual Reality
          Body Weight
          Treadmills
          Treatment Outcomes
          Human
          Male
          Female
          Middle Age
          Aged
          Systematic Review
          PubMed
          Physiotherapy Evidence Database
          Cochrane Library
          Checklists
          Balance, Postural
          Walking Speed
          Task Performance and Analysis
          Immersion
          Feedback
          Step
          Physical Endurance
          Middle Aged: 45-64 years
          Aged: 65+ years
          Male
          Female
      ab: Objective: To compare evidence on virtual reality (VR) and body weight–supported treadmill training (BWSTT) for gait rehabilitation in Parkinson's disease (PD) using a narrative review. Design: A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, PEDro, SciELO, Cochrane, and LILACS through March 2024, following PRISMA guidelines. Randomized controlled trials of VR or BWSTT in PD were included. Systematic reviews were used solely for context. Methodological quality was assessed with the PEDro and AMSTAR-2 tools. Results: Fourteen primary studies (9 VR, 5 BWSTT) with 416 participants with mild-to-moderate PD met eligibility criteria. VR protocols (5 to 12 wk) often improved balance, gait speed, and dual-task performance, but differences in immersion, platform, sensory feedback, and task complexity limited direct comparison. BWSTT interventions (4 to 8 wk, 20% to 40% unloading) showed moderate improvements in step length, walking endurance, and balance. No major adverse events were reported. Conclusions: Both VR and BWSTT improve gait and balance in PD through complementary mechanisms. VR offers sensory-cognitive engagement, while BWSTT provides biomechanical support and repetitive practice. Due to protocol heterogeneity, small sample sizes, and the absence of meta-analysis, findings should be interpreted narratively. Combined approaches may be promising, but current evidence is limited.
      pubtype: Academic Journal
      doctype:
        research
        systematic review
        tables/charts
        Journal Article
      ougenre: Article
    language: English
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