Few balance outcomes in registered virtual reality trials for Parkinson's disease in Latin America

Introduction: Virtual reality is used to train balance in Parkinson's disease, yet the trials registered with Latin American sites have not been described. This study characterized their designs, sample sizes and registered outcomes. Methods: Registry-based cross-sectional study of interventional records in ClinicalTrials.gov that listed Parkinson disease as a condition, had at least one site in a Latin American country and were first submitted between 2012 and 2024. Records testing a virtual reality or exergame intervention were included. The proportion with a registered balance outcome was estimated with a Wilson 95% confidence interval, and design, enrollment, sites, platforms, primary outcome domains and results posting were described. Results: Of 88 eligible Parkinson disease records, 12 (13.6%) tested virtual reality. A balance outcome was registered in 4 of 12 (33.3%; 95% CI, 13.8-60.9), as a primary outcome in 3. Median registered enrollment was 30 participants (P25-P75, 20 to 46). Brazil hosted 11 registrations and Chile 1; 9 were randomized, and results were posted for 1. Conclusions: Registered virtual reality research for Parkinson's disease in Latin America consisted of small, mostly single-site trials concentrated in Brazil, and about one third registered a balance outcome. Prospective registration with explicit balance measures would make the regional portfolio easier to evaluate.