Objective: To examine the accuracy, effectiveness, and utility of a novel virtual reality (VR) simulation representing symptoms of Parkinson’s disease psychosis (PDP).

Background: Diagnosing PDP can be challenging due to lack of recognition of its spectrum, overlapping non-motor issues, failure of patients/caregivers and healthcare providers (HCPs) to discuss PDP, or an inability to “see what patients see.” With VR technology, one can simulate experiences not possible in “real life,” and these simulations may provide useful educational tools.

Methods: We developed a novel VR simulation of PDP with two hallucinatory scenarios using Oculus rift technology and descriptions by patients, caregivers, and HCPs. One scenario depicted visual hallucinations of mice and the other, illusions and visual hallucinations of serpents. With an IRB-approved questionnaire, we collected data at the 2015 MDS meeting regarding viewers’ profession and responses on a 5-point scale (“very unlikely” to “very likely”) of the simulation’s accuracy of capturing PDP symptoms and impact, effectiveness as a teaching tool, and influence on medical practice. We compared the accuracy and effectiveness of the two scenarios and responses between physicians and non-physicians using non-parametric statistics.

Results: Questionnaires were completed by 502/602 (83.4%) viewers (physicians [n=284], non-physicians [n=143]; scenarios: mice [n=167], serpents [n=248]). Both scenarios accurately (“likely/very likely”) captured PDP symptoms and its impact on caregivers, though this was greater for the mice scenario (p<0.02); the scenarios did not differ in their accuracy of capturing the impact on patients. Both scenarios were “likely/very likely” to be effective teaching tools for patients, caregivers, and HCPs (NS). Physicians and non-physicians rated the simulation’s effectiveness for teaching patients and caregivers similarly; however, non-physicians rated it as more effective for teaching HCPs than physicians (p=0.004). Non-physicians rated VR technology as more impactful for education and more likely to lead to changes in their practice compared to physicians.

Conclusions: With VR technology, viewers were able to experience PDP first-hand in scenarios that accurately depict PDP symptoms and impact. VR simulations have potential as educational tools for physicians and non-physicians regarding the PDP experience.

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MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/viewer-responses-to-a-virtual-reality-simulation-of-parkinsons-disease-psychosis/