Not yet recruitingNAINTERVENTIONAL

Virtual Reality-Supported Exercise for Chronic Musculoskeletal Shoulder Disorders: a Feasibility Study

Living with long-term shoulder pain can make everyday tasks difficult, and doing physiotherapy exercises is often a key part of getting better. However, it can be tough to keep motivated and stick with these exercises. This study is exploring if Virtual Reality (VR) — where you wear a headset and see a 3D world — can make shoulder exercises more enjoyable, like playing a game. We want to find out if using VR is practical and acceptable for people with ongoing shoulder pain. Twenty patients will try three VR exercise sessions over three weeks at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital. We’ll measure their pain and quality of life, and ask about their experiences. This helps us decide if this new approach is worth exploring in a larger study.

At a glance

Status

Not yet recruiting

Phase

Sponsor

Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Trust

Enrolment target

Start

16 Jan 2026

Estimated completion

01 Dec 2026

Shoulder Pain Chronic Shoulder Pain Musculoskeletal Shoulder Pain

What is this study about?

If you have shoulder pain that has lasted for more than three months, you know how much it can affect your daily life. Things like reaching, lifting, or even getting dressed can become painful and difficult. Doctors often recommend physiotherapy and exercises to help reduce pain, build strength, and improve movement in your shoulder. These exercises are really important for getting better, and for some people, they can be as helpful as surgery.

However, sticking to an exercise programme can be hard. People might stop because of pain, worry about making things worse, or simply lose motivation over time. This study is looking into a new way to help with this: using Virtual Reality (VR). VR is a technology where you put on a special headset, like goggles, and enter a 3D computer-generated world. Your movements, especially of your hands and arms, are shown by a virtual character. This can make exercises feel more like playing a game or completing fun tasks, rather than just doing repetitive movements. We think this might make exercises more enjoyable, distract from pain, and keep people more motivated.

Before we can properly test if VR exercises are really effective for long-term shoulder pain, we first need to check if it's practical and if people like using it. This initial study, called a 'feasibility' study, will involve 20 patients with ongoing shoulder problems who are already having physiotherapy. They will try out three VR exercise sessions over a three-week period at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital in Stanmore, UK. We will ask them about their pain, how they sleep, and their quality of life before and after these sessions. We'll also talk to them about their experiences with the VR exercises. The information we gather will help us decide if we should go ahead with a larger study to really see how much VR can help people with shoulder pain.

Key takeaways

This study explores using Virtual Reality (VR) for long-term shoulder pain exercises.
It aims to make physiotherapy more fun and easier to stick with.
20 patients will try VR exercises at RNOH over three weeks.
The study will check if VR is practical and acceptable before a bigger study.
Your feedback is key to understanding the patient experience.

Who may be eligible?

This study is looking for adults aged 18 or over who have had ongoing shoulder pain for at least three months. This pain should be coming from your muscles, bones, or joints in the shoulder area and not from other conditions like nerve damage. You should be someone who has been advised to try physiotherapy or other non-surgical treatments for your shoulder.

To join, you need to understand written information and spoken instructions in English. If English isn't your first language, you can still take part if a family member or friend can come with you to help translate. You'll also need to sign a form to show that you understand the study and agree to take part.

However, you can't join if you're waiting for surgery or injections for your shoulder, or if your shoulder pain is due to cancer that has spread to your bones. Also, if you have a history of seizures, certain vision problems, or unstable mental health conditions, this study might not be right for you. We also can’t include you if you’re currently in another research study about your arm or shoulder.

Quick self-check

Are you 18 years old or older?
Have you had shoulder pain for more than three months?
Has your doctor suggested physiotherapy or similar treatments for your shoulder?
Are you able to understand English, or can a family member/friend translate for you?
Are you NOT currently waiting for shoulder surgery or injections?
Do you NOT have a history of seizures or severe vision problems?

This is a guide only — the research team will confirm whether you can take part.

What does participation involve?

If you decide to take part, you will visit the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital (RNOH) in Stanmore three times over a three-week period. During each visit, you will take part in a VR exercise session. Before starting and after the three weeks, we will ask you to complete some questionnaires about your pain, how you sleep, and your general quality of life. These help us understand if anything has changed for you. A couple of weeks after your last VR session, we will also invite you for an interview. This interview will be a chance for you to share your thoughts and experiences about the VR exercises – what you liked, what you didn't, and any suggestions you have. The total duration of your active involvement in the study will be about five weeks.

Potential risks and benefits

Taking part in this study may offer some benefits, such as trying a new and potentially more enjoyable way to do your shoulder exercises, which might help with your pain and movement. There are no known serious risks associated with VR use for exercise, but some people might feel a bit dizzy or experience eye strain, similar to prolonged screen time. You are free to stop participating at any time during the study without giving a reason, and this will not affect your usual medical care.

Locations (1)

Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital
Middlesex, United Kingdom

Common questions

What is Virtual Reality (VR)?

VR is a technology where you wear a special headset to experience a 3D computer world, making activities like exercising feel more like a game.

How long has my shoulder pain needed to last?

To be eligible for this study, your shoulder pain needs to have been present for more than three months.

Will I have to pay to take part?

No, all aspects of the study, including the VR sessions, are provided free of charge.

What happens if I decide to stop during the study?

You are free to stop participating at any time, for any reason, and this decision will not affect your medical care.

What kind of exercises will I do?

The VR system will guide you through exercises designed to help your shoulder, making them interactive and engaging like a game.

How to find out more

Rokhsaneh m Tehrany, PhD

rokhsaneh.tehrany@nhs.net 00447958830304 Official trial record

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