Exploring the Virtual Continuum to tackle Parkinson’s Disease: AR vs VR in Therapeutic Gaming

The effective management of Parkinson’s disease (PD) is increasingly reliant on innovative approaches to motivate patients to maintain physical activity. The potential of augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) as immersive tools to enhance patient engagement and encourage movement has been demonstrated. This study examines a fruit-catching game in both AR and VR formats, exploring the virtual continuum to prove which version is more beneficial for therapeutic use in tackling PD. The results of this study inform the future development of more personalized, accessible, and impactful serious games tailored to support PD rehabilitation.