NCT07492784

Investigation of the Effect of a Virtual Reality-Based Back School Program on Pain, Functionality, and Kinesiophobia

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 39 (actual)
• Sponsor: Hacettepe University · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years – 65 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

This study investigates the effects of a 4-week virtual reality (VR)-based back school program on pain, disability, fear of movement, and lumbar joint position sense (JPS) in individuals with chronic low back pain. Thirty-nine participants are allocated to either a VR-based back school group or a conventional back school group. Both groups perform supervised low back exercises. Pain, disability, proprioception, kinesiophobia, and perceived cognitive deficits are assessed before and after the intervention.

Detailed description

Background and Aim: Chronic low back pain (CLBP) is a multidimensional condition associated with functional limitations, fear of movement, and proprioceptive impairments. Contemporary rehabilitation approaches, such as back school programs, are based on a biopsychosocial model and aim to enhance patient engagement. Virtual reality (VR) applications may further support these interventions by increasing motivation and providing enriched sensory feedback. This study aims to investigate the effects of a 4-week VR-based back school program on pain, disability, fear of movement, and joint position sense (JPS) in individuals with CLBP. Methods: The study includes 39 participants allocated into an experimental group (n=20) and a control group (n=19). The control group receives back school training through verbal instruction delivered by a physiotherapist, while the experimental group receives the same training integrated with a VR headset. Following the education sessions, both groups perform standard low back exercises under physiotherapist supervision. Outcome measures include: Pain intensity assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) Disability assessed using the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) Lumbar joint position sense measured using a goniometric method Fear of movement assessed using the Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia (TSK) Cognitive function assessed using the Perceived Deficits Questionnaire (PDQ) All outcomes are evaluated before and after the 4-week intervention period.

Conditions

• Chronic Back and Leg Pain

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
OTHER	Back school education integrated with a VR headset	The intervention lasted for 4 weeks, comprising 2 sessions per week (8 sessions in total). Following baseline assessments, participants were randomly allocated to either the experimental or control group based on their resting pain levels. The experimental group received back school education integrated with a VR headset, whereas the control group received the standard back school education via verbal instruction from a physiotherapist. Following the education sessions, both groups performed supervised conventional low back exercises. The intervention was progressively structured over the 4-week period. Exercises were individualized according to each patient's clinical status and tolerance, following the principle of progressive overload, while strictly avoiding pain provocation.

Timeline

• Start date: 2024-03-01
• Primary completion: 2025-12-01
• Completion: 2026-02-01
• First posted: 2026-03-25
• Last updated: 2026-03-25

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Turkey (Türkiye)