Virtual Cycling Environments (VCYCLE) to Increase Exercise Intensity in Persons With Parkinson Disease

What this Trial Is About

This research aims to understand how virtual reality affects exercise for people with Parkinson Disease who use a bicycle for exercise. It explores whether virtual reality increases exercise intensity and enjoyment compared to bicycling without it, how interval versus continuous bicycling impacts the experience, and how different ways of delivering virtual reality (with goggles or projected on a screen) influence the experience. Participants attend two sessions involving bicycling exercises. In the first session, they bicycle in two virtual environments: one projected on a screen and one with goggles. They complete questionnaires after each bout about their experience. In the second session, participants bicycle four times with and without virtual reality using both continuous and interval modes, while their oxygen consumption is measured. Questionnaires are completed after each exercise bout. During the study, participants undergo movement assessments and complete physical activity questionnaires. Researchers measure neuromuscular intensity, oxygen consumption, heart rate percentage of maximum, and enjoyment-motivation continuously during exercise bouts. Secondary measures include perceived exertion, cyber sickness, perceived effort ranking, and enjoyment ranking collected across both sessions. Each session lasts about two hours, and the study evaluates the exercise experience and physiological responses in detail.

Virtual Cycling Environments for Persons With Parkinson Disease