Effects of Virtual Reality Based Aerobic Exercise on Pulmonary Function and Cardiopulmonary Fitness in Parkinson's Disease: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial.
Aburub A, Darabseh M, et al. • Games for health journal • 2026
Twelve weeks of supervised Nintendo Wii Fit Plus exergaming aerobic exercise significantly improved pulmonary function, aerobic capacity, and perceived dyspnea in people with Parkinson's disease and respiratory impairment, and findings support feasibility and potential clinical value, with larger trials warranted.
Key Findings
Results
Exergaming-based aerobic exercise produced significant group × time improvements in all four spirometry measures in people with Parkinson's disease and respiratory impairment.
Significant group × time improvements were reported for FVC (P = 0.018), FEV1 (P = 0.021), FEV1/FVC (P = 0.039), and PEF (P = 0.011).
These spirometry measures were the primary outcomes.
30 patients with PD (Hoehn and Yahr stages II to III) were randomized to the exergaming group (n = 15) or a control group (n = 15).
Outcomes were assessed at baseline and post-intervention using mixed-model repeated-measures ANOVA.
Results
Exergaming improved aerobic capacity (VO2peak) significantly compared with controls.
The group × time effect for VO2peak was significant (P = 0.004).
VO2peak was a secondary outcome.
The intervention was supervised aerobic training on the Wii Fit Plus platform, 3×/week for 12 weeks at 40%-70% of peak heart rate.
Results
Exergaming reduced perceived exertion and dyspnea.
Borg RPE showed a significant group × time effect (P = 0.006).
mMRC dyspnea scale showed a significant group × time effect (P = 0.028).
Results
Peak heart rate did not differ significantly between groups.
The HRpeak effect was not significant (P = 0.071).
Results
The exergaming program showed high adherence and no adverse events.
Adherence to the exergaming program was 92%.
No adverse events were reported.
The authors state the findings support feasibility.
Methods
The study was a single-blinded pilot RCT comparing Wii Fit Plus exergaming with usual activity.
Control participants maintained usual activity.
Participants had PD with respiratory impairment.
Training intensity was 40%-70% of HRpeak, 3 sessions/week for 12 weeks.
Authors conclude larger trials are warranted to confirm efficacy and long-term outcomes.
What This Means
This small pilot study tested whether playing aerobic exercise video games (Nintendo Wii Fit Plus) could help people with Parkinson's disease who also have breathing problems. Thirty people with moderate Parkinson's disease were randomly assigned either to supervised exergaming sessions three times a week for 12 weeks or to continue their usual activity.
Compared with the control group, those who did the exergaming improved on lung function tests (including how much air they could breathe out and how fast), on a measure of aerobic fitness (peak oxygen uptake), and on ratings of exertion and breathlessness. Peak heart rate did not change significantly between groups. Participants attended 92% of sessions and no adverse events were reported.
This research suggests that exergaming may be a feasible and potentially useful way to support breathing and fitness in people with Parkinson's disease. However, the study was small and short, and only measured outcomes right after the program, so larger and longer trials are needed to confirm the benefits.
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Aburub A, Darabseh M, Hbahbih M, Amro A, Alelaimat Z, Almasalha F, et al.. (2026). Effects of Virtual Reality Based Aerobic Exercise on Pulmonary Function and Cardiopulmonary Fitness in Parkinson's Disease: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial.. Games for health journal. https://doi.org/10.1177/2161783X261485885