This groundbreaking VR application is the first of its kind designed to immerse patients in real-world environments that commonly trigger freezing of gait, a debilitating symptom of Parkinson’s disease (PD). Developed by Elm Park Labs in collaboration with the Cleveland Clinic, the system uses an omnidirectional treadmill to simulate instrumental activities of daily living (iADLs), offering a powerful tool for early detection of neurodegenerative conditions such as PD and Alzheimer’s.

The VR platform supports fine-tuning of therapies such as deep brain stimulation by identifying neural signatures during simulated tasks, and enhances rehabilitation by safely challenging patients’ mobility and balance. Funded in part by a $2M grant from the Michael J. Fox Foundation, this innovative technology is reshaping how clinicians assess, monitor, and treat movement disorders.