Objective: This systematic review aims to identify how haptics in extended reality (XR) are used for patients with Parkinson disease (PD) and their outcome in terms of patients’ neurological function.

Background: Aside from the commonly revealing motor symptoms, recent studies have underlined a proprioceptive sensory dysfunction and somatosensory cortical abnormalities in PD patients. XR technologies nowadays offer the possibilities of combined haptic stimulation for better immersive experiences. This makes these tools of potential use for the neurorehabilitation of PD.

Method: The review was performed using PRISMA 2020 guidelines by two groups of authors. Research papers were identified in Scopus and Web of sciences. Participants included were PD patients, and healthy control groups. XR combined with haptics as interventions. The heterogeneity of studies justified the narrative approach.

Results: 4 out of 98 studies were included, with a total number of participants of 64 among whom 38 had PD. The age range of participants was between 20 and 68 years old. 2 studies focused on upper motor and 2 on lower motor symptoms. 2 studies compared immersive Virtual reality (VR) with classical approaches, one compared immersive with non-immersive virtual experiences and one compared augmented reality (AR) with classical approaches. There was an overall positive impact of immersion XR approaches on hypokinesia in terms of speed and precision of movements.

Conclusion: Technology can offer more personalized and ambulatory rehabilitation options for PD patients. PD is due to nigrostriatal dysfunction. Further dysfunction can concern the cortical motor, somatosensory cerebellar and spinal pathways explaining the symptoms of bradykinesia tremor and rigidity. These latter should be the specific targets of haptic XR rehabilitation designs.

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MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/haptics-use-in-extended-reality-environments-for-parkinson-disease-a-systematic-review/