The VIGOR Study - Virtual Immersive Gaming to Optimize Recovery in Low Back Pain (VIGOR)

February 3, 2025 updated by: Virginia Commonwealth University
This study will measure the effects of interactive, whole-body video games on movement behavior in people with chronic low back pain.

Study Overview

Status

Status

Indicates the current recruitment status or the expanded access status.
Completed

Conditions

Conditions

The disease, disorder, syndrome, illness, or injury that is being studied. On ClinicalTrials.gov, conditions may also include other health-related issues, such as lifespan, quality of life, and health risks.

Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.

Detailed Description

A fundamental clinical problem in individuals with chronic low back pain is the significant alteration in movement patterns that restrict lumbar spine motion. This restriction of lumbar motion is particularly evident in patients with kinesiophobia; that is, a fear of movement due to possible injury or reinjury. For chronic back pain patients with kinesiophobia it is critical to develop an effective intervention to increase spine motion while minimizing concerns of pain and harm. Accordingly, we have developed a innovative video games that track whole-body motion and are designed to encourage spinal flexion while reducing concerns of pain and harm among individuals with low back pain. Our games have two distinct advantages. First, within this video game environment, visual feedback can be altered by changing the feedback gain of a given movement (e.g., the magnitude of a given joint movement could appear on screen as either larger or smaller than the actual movement). Thus, gain manipulation will result in progressively larger amounts of lumbar spine flexion during game play. Second, video games are potent distractors that can reduce attention to pain.

Study Type

Study Type

Describes the nature of a clinical study. Study types include interventional studies (also called clinical trials), observational studies (including patient registries), and expanded access.
Interventional

Enrollment (Actual)

Enrollment

The number of participants in a clinical study. The "anticipated" enrollment is the target number of participants that the researchers need for the study.
154

Phase

Phase

The stage of a clinical trial studying a drug or biological product, based on definitions developed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The phase is based on the study's objective, the number of participants, and other characteristics. There are five phases: Early Phase 1 (formerly listed as Phase 0), Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3, and Phase 4. Not Applicable is used to describe trials without FDA-defined phases, including trials of devices or behavioral interventions.
  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

Study Contact

The name and contact information for the person who can answer enrollment questions for a clinical study. Each location where the study is being conducted may also have a specific contact, who may be better able to answer those questions.
  • Name: James S Thomas, P.T., Ph.D.
  • Phone Number: 804-828-1444
  • Email: jthomas32@vcu.edu

Study Locations

  • United States
    • Virginia
      • Richmond, Virginia, United States, 23222
        • Virginia Commonwealth University

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

The key requirements that people who want to participate in a clinical study must meet or the characteristics they must have. Eligibility criteria consist of both inclusion criteria (which are required for a person to participate in the study) and exclusion criteria (which prevent a person from participating). Types of eligibility criteria include whether a study accepts healthy volunteers, has age or age group requirements, or is limited by sex.

Ages Eligible for Study

18 years to 60 years (Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • 18-60 years of age
  • Low back pain that has been ongoing for at least half the days in the last 6 months
  • Average pain intensity of greater than 3 over the past week on a 0-10 Numerical Rating Scale
  • Disability greater than 4 on Roland and Morris Disability Questionnaire
  • Agrees with statement "It is not really safe for a person with my back problem to be physically active" or Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia score greater than 36
  • Has sought care or consultation from a health care provider for back pain
  • Meets category 1, 2, or 3 on the Classification System of the Quebec Task Force on Spinal Disorders which reflects low back pain without neurological signs
  • Working proficiency in English

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Has a personal history of the following neurological disorders: Alzheimers, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinsons, Neuropathy, Stroke, Seizures
  • Has a personal history of the following cardiorespiratory disorders: Congestive heart failure, heart attack in past 2 years
  • Has a personal history of the following musculoskeletal disorders: Rheumatoid Arthritis, Muscular Dystrophy, pathologic fractures of the spine, avascular necrosis or osteonecrosis, severe osteoarthritis
  • History of spine surgery or a hip arthroplasty
  • Has active cancer
  • Has a chronic disease that may restrict movement or preclude safe participation
  • Has used opioids within 30 days prior to study enrollment
  • Reports being pregnant, lactating, or that they anticipate becoming pregnant within 2-months
  • Reports pending litigation related to CLBP
  • Has current drug or alcohol use or dependence that, in the opinion of the PIs, would interfere with adherence to study requirements
  • Has significant visual impairment that would prevent virtual reality headset use
  • Has significant motion sickness that would prevent virtual reality headset use

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Treatment
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: Quadruple

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm

Participant Group / Arm

A group or subgroup of participants in a clinical trial that receives a specific intervention/treatment, or no intervention, according to the trial's protocol.
Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.
Experimental: Experimental Group 2
Participants will produce progressively larger lumbar flexion excursions at each game level and across treatment sessions.
Behavioral: Experimental Group 2
Participants will complete 18 intervention visits over 9 weeks with the number of sessions tapered across weeks (i.e., 3 sessions/week in weeks 1-3, 2 sessions/week in weeks 4-6, and 1 session/week in weeks 7-9).
Active Comparator: Control Group
Participants will produce progressively larger lumbar flexion excursions at each game level and across treatment sessions. The control group will play the same immersive video games, but the parameters will be modified such that only small excursions of lumbar flexion are needed to successfully complete gameplay.
Behavioral: Experimental Group 1
Participants will complete 18 intervention visits over 9 weeks with the number of sessions tapered across weeks (i.e., 3 sessions/week in weeks 1-3, 2 sessions/week in weeks 4-6, and 1 session/week in weeks 7-9).

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, the planned outcome measure that is the most important for evaluating the effect of an intervention/treatment. Most clinical studies have one primary outcome measure, but some have more than one.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Percent Change in Pain Reduction on The Numerical Pain Rating Scale (NPRS)
Time Frame: Baseline measure through the 48-weeks post-treatment measure
The Numerical Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) is a pain assessment tool that uses a 11 point scale of 0-10 to help patients rate the intensity of their pain: 0: No pain and 10: The worst pain imaginable. The NPRS is the most commonly used unidimensional pain scale. It can be administered verbally or graphically, and patients are asked to select the number that best reflects their pain intensity over the past 24 hours. The smaller the number (closer to 0), the less pain the subject is enduring, and the larger the number, the more pain they are enduring. Percent change in NPRS rather than raw score change may provide more meaningful information regarding a patient's response to pain treatment.
Baseline measure through the 48-weeks post-treatment measure
Change in Disability Using the Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire
Time Frame: Baseline measurement through 48-weeks post-treatment measurement change
Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire: A patient taking the survey agrees or disagrees with these statements (Yes/No). The patient is asked to tick a statement when it applies to him that specific day, this makes it possible to follow changes in time. The end score is the sum of the ticked boxes. The items of the questionnaire are assessed on a 0-10 numeric rating scale in which 0 means no disability and 10 is maximum disability. The sum of the seven items equals the total score of the PDI, which ranges from 0 to 70, with higher scores (closer to 70) reflecting higher interference of pain with daily activities and a lower score (closer to 0) has less interference of pain with daily activities.. Test-retest reliability 24-item: intraclass correlation (ICC) ranges from 0.42 - 0.91 T
Baseline measurement through 48-weeks post-treatment measurement change

Secondary Outcome Measures

Secondary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, a planned outcome measure that is not as important as the primary outcome measure for evaluating the effect of an intervention but is still of interest. Most clinical studies have more than one secondary outcome measure.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Change in Lumbar Spine Flexion
Time Frame: Baseline, 1-, 6-, 12-, 24-, and 48-weeks post-treatment
Standardized Reaching Paradigm
Baseline, 1-, 6-, 12-, 24-, and 48-weeks post-treatment
Change in Pain & Harm Expectancy
Time Frame: Baseline, 1-, 6-, 12-, 24-, and 48-weeks post-treatment
Standardized Reaching Paradigm
Baseline, 1-, 6-, 12-, 24-, and 48-weeks post-treatment
Change in Real World Activity
Time Frame: Baseline, 1-, 6-, 12-, 24-, and 48-weeks post-treatment
Activity Monitor
Baseline, 1-, 6-, 12-, 24-, and 48-weeks post-treatment

Other Outcome Measures

Other Outcome Measures

For clinical trials, a planned measurement described in the protocol that is used to determine the effect of an intervention/treatment on participants. For observational studies, a measurement or observation that is used to describe patterns of diseases or traits, or associations with exposures, risk factors, or treatment. Types of outcome measures include primary outcome measure and secondary outcome measure.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Change in Emotional Functioning
Time Frame: Baseline 1-, 6-, 12-, 24-, and 48-weeks post-treatment
Life Fulfillment Scale, Center for Epidemiologic Studies - Depression, Profile of Mood States, Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (Anxiety, Depression, Positive Affect, Meaning & Purpose)
Baseline 1-, 6-, 12-, 24-, and 48-weeks post-treatment
Change in Pain Vulnerability
Time Frame: Baseline 1-, 6-, 12-, 24-, and 48-weeks post-treatment
Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia, Pain Catastrophizing Scale
Baseline 1-, 6-, 12-, 24-, and 48-weeks post-treatment
Change in Pain Resilience
Time Frame: Baseline 1-, 6-, 12-, 24-, and 48-weeks post-treatment
Pain Resilience Scale, Pain Self Efficacy Questionnaire
Baseline 1-, 6-, 12-, 24-, and 48-weeks post-treatment
Participant's Perception of Change as Function of Intervention
Time Frame: 6-, 12-, 24-, and 48-weeks post-treatment
Patient Global Impression of Change
6-, 12-, 24-, and 48-weeks post-treatment
Change in Pain Interference with Physical Function
Time Frame: Baseline, 1-, 6-, 12-, 24-, and 48-weeks post-treatment
Brief Pain Inventory, Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire
Baseline, 1-, 6-, 12-, 24-, and 48-weeks post-treatment
Participant Evaluation of the Treatment
Time Frame: Baseline and 1-week post-treatment
Treatment Evaluation Inventory
Baseline and 1-week post-treatment

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Sponsor

The organization or person who initiates the study and who has authority and control over the study.
Virginia Commonwealth University

Collaborators

Collaborators

An organization other than the sponsor that provides support for a clinical study. This support may include activities related to funding, design, implementation, data analysis, or reporting.
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD)
Ohio University

Investigators

Investigators

A researcher involved in a clinical study. Related terms include site principal investigator, site sub-investigator, study chair, study director, and study principal investigator.
  • Principal Investigator: James S Thomas, P.T., Ph.D., Virginia Commonwealth University

Publications and helpful links

The person responsible for entering information about the study voluntarily provides these publications. These may be about anything related to the study.

General Publications

Helpful Links

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

Study Start

The actual date on which the first participant was enrolled in a clinical study. The "anticipated" study start date is the date that the researchers think will be the study start date.
January 10, 2019

Primary Completion (Actual)

Primary Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention to collect final data for the primary outcome measure. Whether the clinical study ended according to the protocol or was terminated does not affect this date. For clinical studies with more than one primary outcome measure with different completion dates, this term refers to the date on which data collection is completed for all the primary outcome measures. The "anticipated" primary completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the primary completion date for the study.
October 14, 2023

Study Completion (Actual)

Study Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention/treatment to collect final data for the primary outcome measures, secondary outcome measures, and adverse events (that is, the last participant's last visit). The "anticipated" study completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the study completion date.
October 14, 2023

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

First Submitted

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submitted a study record to ClinicalTrials.gov. There is typically a delay of a few days between the first submitted date and the record's availability on ClinicalTrials.gov (the first posted date).
February 13, 2018

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submits a study record that is consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. The sponsor or investigator may need to revise and submit a study record one or more times before NLM's QC review criteria are met. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
March 6, 2018

First Posted (Actual)

First Posted

The date on which the study record was first available on ClinicalTrials.gov after National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review has concluded. There is typically a delay of a few days between the date the study sponsor or investigator submitted the study record and the first posted date.
March 13, 2018

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

Last Update Posted

The most recent date on which changes to a study record were made available on ClinicalTrials.gov. There may be a delay between when the changes were submitted to ClinicalTrials.gov by the study's sponsor or investigator (the last update submitted date) and the last update posted date.
March 25, 2025

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator submitted changes to a study record that are consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
February 3, 2025

Last Verified

Last Verified

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator confirmed the information about a clinical study on ClinicalTrials.gov as accurate and current. If a study with a recruitment status of recruiting; not yet recruiting; or active, not recruiting has not been confirmed within the past 2 years, the study's recruitment status is shown as unknown.
February 1, 2025

More Information

Terms related to this study

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

Other Study ID Numbers

Identifiers or ID numbers other than the NCT number that are assigned to a clinical study by the study's sponsor, funders, or others. These numbers may include unique identifiers from other trial registries and National Institutes of Health grant numbers.
  • HM20014058
  • 1R01HD088417-01A1 (U.S. NIH Grant/Contract)
  • 17-F-11 (Other Identifier: Ohio University)

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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