Feasibility of a BA protocol to support people with PD enhanced by VR

• Research type

  Research Study

• Full title

  Assessing the feasibility of (BAPP-VR) Behavioural Activation to support people with Parkinson’s Disease enhanced by a Virtual Reality exercise programme

• IRAS ID

  318700

• Contact name

  Paul Best

• Contact email

  P.Best@qub.ac.uk

• Sponsor organisation

  Queen's University, Belfast

• Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier

  N/A, N/A

• Duration of Study in the UK

  1 years, 8 months, 0 days

• Research summary

  The proposed research project will involve developing and testing the feasibility of a 6 week Behavioural Activation (BA) programme for people with Parkinson's Disease, which will be enhanced by Virtual Reality exercise programme. The aim of the programme will be to support the mental well-being and physical rehabilitation of people with Parkinson’s Disease who are known to Marie Curie Outpatient Department (Belfast).
  The programme will involve consenting participants to attend a group for 6 weeks with the addition of an introductory session, for 1.5 hours per session. During sessions they will be asked to take part in a Behavioural Activation talking therapy. Behavioural Activation is a low intensity talking therapy which aims to increase activity level and identify behaviours that are positive and reinforcing. The aim of the intervention is to engage patients through activation strategies and help support adherence to exercise programmes which for this project will be enhanced with the use of Virtual Reality. In addition patients will be asked to complete 'homework' tasks to record and reflect, schedule and monitor behavoural changes. In addition to this, the BA intervention will be enhanced by Virtual Reality exercises. Virtual Reality (VR) technology is being used at increasing pace within the healthcare setting as a treatment for a variety of phobias, trauma, surgical training, as well as exercise rehabilitation. Virtual Environments provide a sense of immersion in a safe environment. The use of Virtual Reality (VR) based exercise as a therapeutic tool in neurorehabilitation has been considered a welcomed addition to support a variety of neurological disorders. Data collection will capture any changes in depression, anxiety,balance, adherence and acceptability to the programme.

• REC name

  HSC REC B

• REC reference

  23/NI/0026

• Date of REC Opinion

  6 Apr 2023

• REC opinion

  Further Information Favourable Opinion