Effects of Exergaming on Motor Performance in Parkinson’s Disease: A Pilot Study Using Azure Kinect

One of the most disabling features of Parkinson's disease is the impairment of motor function due to specific symptoms affecting different body districts. The most visible manifestations include slow movements (bradykinesia), gait disorders, balance disorders, postural changes, and complex control and coordination of body movements, especially as the disease progresses and symptoms worsen. Healthcare facilities traditionally employ targeted physiotherapy treatments to improve patients’ motor conditions and increase their perceived safety and independence in daily activities. Despite the recognized benefits, these treatments are still underutilized in terms of time and accessibility because of the costs and resources involved. The paper presents an integrated solution to stimulate physical activity through exergames, i.e., exercises in a virtual game environment, and assess motor performance using specific standardized tasks. The new Azure Kinect DK camera and 3D non-contact body tracking libraries implement an easy-to-use vision system. A two-week, exergaming based experimental protocol involving 12 patients in a healthcare facility was defined to evaluate its potential for future use in home environments. Preliminary results of the pilot study are presented and discussed.