RecruitingNAINTERVENTIONAL

VRFR- Immersive Virtual Reality Use in a Spine Functional Restoration Program - A Feasibility Study

This study is exploring if virtual reality (VR) can help people with long-term lower back pain. It's a first look to see if using a VR headset makes sense for both patients and their healthcare team during a special rehabilitation programme. We want to know if it's easy to use and if people stick with it. The study also checks if VR helps with pain, movement, and a fear of movement that often comes with back pain. If successful, this could pave the way for bigger studies to see if VR should be a regular part of how we help people manage long-term lower back pain.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Phase

Sponsor

University Hospital, Angers

Enrolment target

Start

19 Mar 2025

Estimated completion

19 Apr 2027

Chronic Low Back Pain

What is this study about?

Imagine being able to use virtual reality (VR) to help with your ongoing lower back pain. This study is testing if VR headsets can be a good addition to a special programme designed to help people get back to better movement and less pain. This programme, called a functional restoration programme, already helps many people through various exercises and support. We want to see if adding VR makes it even better.

Long-term lower back pain can make daily life very difficult, affecting how you move and your overall quality of life. While current programmes help, we're curious if new technologies like VR can offer more. VR has shown promise in helping with pain and improving movement in other areas, but using it in a group setting for lower back pain is quite new. This study will look at whether healthcare professionals find it easy to use and if patients enjoy using it and stick with the VR exercises.

This early study aims to answer important questions: Is the VR equipment acceptable and simple enough for everyone? Does it help people move better, reduce their pain, or ease their fear of movement? The results from this small study will be really valuable. They will help us understand if we should do bigger studies to prove that VR can make a real difference in how we support people with long-term lower back pain.

Key takeaways

Exploring if VR can help people with ongoing lower back pain.
This is a 'feasibility' study, meaning we're checking if the VR technology is practical and helpful.
It involves using a special VR headset during an existing rehabilitation programme.
The study looks at ease of use, patient feedback, pain levels, and movement.
Results will help decide if VR should be studied further for back pain.

Who may be eligible?

To join this study, patients generally need to be between 18 and 65 years old and have been diagnosed with lower back pain for at least three months, where other specific causes have been ruled out. You would also need to be suitable for and planning to join a special rehabilitation programme at one of the participating centres.

There are also some reasons why you might not be able to join. For example, if you've had recent surgery or a serious accident in the last month, or if using VR devices makes you dizzy, sick, or causes pain. People who are pregnant or breastfeeding, or who have certain medical conditions like unstable epilepsy, also can't take part. It's important to be able to understand French well, as that's the language used in the study.

Healthcare staff involved in the rehabilitation programmes at the participating centres, who would be using the VR tool, can also take part in the study, provided they give their consent.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you between 18 and 65 years old?
Have you had lower back pain for more than three months?
Are you signed up for a functional restoration programme?
Can you understand French well?
Do you have stable health conditions and no issues with VR?
Are you not pregnant or breastfeeding?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you decide to join this study, you will continue with your usual functional restoration programme. In addition to this, you’ll have three virtual reality (VR) sessions each week. During these sessions, you will wear a special wireless VR headset designed to help improve your movement and reduce pain through specific exercises for your back and core muscles. The study will track how well you use the VR program and how it affects your pain, movement, and any fear of movement. We will also ask for your feedback on the VR device. The total duration of your participation will depend on the length of the rehabilitation programme.

Potential risks and benefits

Participating in this study might offer potential benefits, such as gaining access to a new way of managing your lower back pain through virtual reality. It's hoped that the VR exercises could improve your movement and help reduce your pain. However, as with any new technology, there's always a small chance of mild side effects like feeling dizzy or sick from the VR headset, though these are usually temporary. Everyone in the study has the right to withdraw at any time, for any reason, without it affecting their medical care.

Locations (5)

Les capucins
Verified postcode
Angers, France· Recruiting
CH Cholet
Verified postcode
Cholet, France· Recruiting
CH Laval
Verified postcode
Laval, France· Recruiting
CHU Rennes
Verified postcode
Rennes, France· Recruiting
Centre Hospitalier Bretagne Atlantique - Site de vannes
Verified postcode
Vannes, France· Recruiting

Common questions

What is a 'functional restoration program'?

It's a special rehabilitation programme that helps people with long-term pain improve their movement and daily activities through exercises and other support.

What type of virtual reality (VR) will I use?

You'll use an immersive, wireless VR headset that allows you to move freely while doing specific exercises for your back.

Will I still get my usual care for back pain?

Yes, you will continue with your standard functional restoration programme alongside using the VR headset.

What is 'kinesiophobia'?

It's a fear of movement that can happen when you have chronic pain, making you worried about moving because you think it will cause more pain.

Is this study trying to replace my current treatment?

No, this study is looking at whether VR can be a helpful new addition to your current rehabilitation programme, not replace it.

How to find out more

Romain CHAMPAGNE, MD

champagne.rom@gmail.com 2 43 66 55 68 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.