NCT06832748

Neck Movement Training in a Virtual Reality Headset for People with Neck Pain - a Feasibility Study

Feasibility of a Virtual Reality Based Sensorimotor Training Intervention for Patients with Chronic Traumatic Neck Pain

• Status: Not Yet Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 20 (estimated)
• Sponsor: Luleå Tekniska Universitet · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years – 65 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if a virtual reality (VR) intervention for people with chronic neck pain is feasible. The main questions it aims to answer are: Is it possible to perform a future full-scale randomized controlled trial (RCT) with a remotely supervised VR-based intervention for people with chronic neck pain? How do people with neck pain experience using VR in a home-based training intervention? Researchers will investigate if aspects of a full-scale RCT is feasible. This includes how well the recruitment of participants worked, retention during the intervention, compliance to training program, adverse events, and experience using the VR during training. The study will also investigate initial indication of benefit of the VR intervention, such as effects on pain and function. Participants will be randomly assigned to either a VR neck training group or an endurance training group. Both groups will perform a training program for 8 weeks with weekly follow ups with their physiotherapist via online meetings.

Detailed description

Title: Feasibility of a Virtual Reality-Based Sensorimotor Training Intervention for Patients with Chronic Traumatic Neck Pain Background: Neck pain is very common, leading to reduced function and quality of life, and is costly for healthcare and society due to sick leave and productivity loss. The cause of neck pain is often unclear, with no visible structural damage. Persistent neck pain (lasting more than 3 months) and recurrent episodes are complex and not fully understood. Research suggests impaired sensorimotor control as a contributing factor. Sensorimotor control involves neck movement control, awareness of head position, quick reaction to stimuli, and good neck mobility. These functions are crucial for daily activities (e.g., moving our body, riding a bike, driving a car), and maintaining body stability. Research has shown that these functions often are impaired in people with neck pain. Training these functions can reduce pain and improve function. Virtual Reality (VR) technology, especially VR headsets, allows objective assessment of neck sensorimotor functions, crucial for personalized training to reduce pain and improve function. VR can measure movement velocity and reaction time, previously only possible with advanced lab equipment. VR can be used in clinics and at home, showing high accuracy in assessing neck functions. It may also make training enjoyable, potentially improving adherence. Aim: This study aims to assess the feasibility of a future large-scale randomized controlled trial (RCT) using a VR-based training program for chronic neck pain patients. It will explore various feasibility aspects to plan a well-conducted RCT and examine participants' experiences with VR. Aspects include participant recruitment, adherence to intervention, study protocol feasibility, experience of VR based intervention, and initial effects on pain and function. Data will also help calculate the required sample size for a future RCT. Method: The study is a pilot RCT with 20 participants randomized into two groups: VR training or endurance training. A stratified randomization to get equal number of women/men in each group will be performed through a randomization program. Both groups will train at home for 8 weeks with digital follow-ups from a physiotherapist. There will be 2 qualified physiotherapists, each treating 10 patients (5 in each group). The physiotherapists have solid clinical experience from primary health care. They have experience treating people with neck pain and prescribing sensorimotor exercises. The physiotherapists will conduct baseline and post-treatment measures of outcome variables. They will not be blinded to treatment allocation. Patients and physiotherapists will not be blinded to treatments due to the interventions being self-revealing. After the intervention, VR group participants will be interviewed about their VR experience. Participants: The study will include individuals with chronic neck pain (lasting more than 3 months) caused or worsened by trauma (e.g., car accidents, falls). Outcome: The study will result in two publications: one on quantitative feasibility data, and another on qualitative feasibility data (patient interviews).

Conditions

• Neck Pain

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
OTHER	VR neck training	VR intervention 8 weeks. A VR headset is used for assessment and training of sensorimotor functions of the neck. The VR headset has a built-in sensor which can measure movements and give objective test and training results. The results serve as a guide for tailored home-based training programs, also performed with the VR headset in the experimental group. The participant performs the training at home, 15-20 minutes/day 5 days/week, initiallay divided into 3 sessions of 5 minutes each, while progression may lead to longer but fewer sessions. The program is individually tailored to target specific sensorimotor disturbances, and progressed during the intervention to increase the challenge. Participants will have video consultations with their physiotherapist once a week for the first 4 weeks, and every second week for the final 4 weeks. This can be adjusted to fit the participants needs. The VR is a novel technology, and this particular VR based training is not yet evaluated in research.
OTHER	Endurance neck training	An 8-week traditional endurance neck training intervention. The training program consists of neck and shoulder exercises performed with body weight, rubber bands, and free weights. The training is carried out at home, 15-20 minutes per day, 5 days a week. The training is individualized and progressed during the intervention. Participants will have video consultations with their physiotherapist once a week for the first 4 weeks, and then every second week for the final 4 weeks. This can be adjusted to fit the participants needs. This intervention is often used in the clinic and has been evaluated in several research studies with good results to reduce neck pain. However, its effects on sensorimotor functions have been less evaluated. Also, its effects compared to novel VR-training still needs to be evaluated.

Timeline

• Start date: 2025-03-01
• Primary completion: 2025-07-01
• Completion: 2025-07-01
• First posted: 2025-02-18
• Last updated: 2025-02-18