The aim of the study is to compare the influence of virtual reality (VR) and real-life table tennis on Parkinson’s Disease symptoms across a 6-week training period. Please note that previous experience is not required; all abilities are welcome.
 
What Does Participation Involve?
If you choose to participate in this study, you will be randomly assigned to one of three training interventions.
Real-life table tennis;
VR table tennis;
Delayed treatment control.
Those assigned to the real-life and VR conditions will attend two, 60-minute table tennis sessions each week, for a 6-week period. Within these sessions, you will complete a series of table tennis drills (i.e., returning the ball from a ball machine or rallying with an opponent). Those assigned to the delayed treatment control will be given the option to complete either the real-life or VR training after the 6-week period has finished.
All participants will attend assessments at Week 0, Week 3, and Week 6 of the intervention period. During these sessions, you will complete a number of simple functional, balance, and aerobic assessments, and will be assessed on your table tennis ability.
 
Who Can Take Part?
People with Parkinson’s Disease;
With a Hoehn-Yahr score of 3 or below (Assessed by researcher during baseline visit);
With a low falls-risk (Assessed by researcher during baseline visit);
Free from any contagious eye infection for 2 weeks prior to commencement;
Free from any respiratory infection or injury for 2 weeks prior to commencement;
Able to walk independently without mobility aids (i.e., wheelchair, walker).
 
When Will the Study Take Place?
The study will be running from April to June.
 
Location
All visits will take place within Keynes College, opposite the Parkinson’s Centre at Tanglewood (University of Kent, CT2 7NP).
 
Contact
Researcher: Edward Baker
Email: eb399@kent.ac.uk