Effect of Virtual Reality Training on Pain, Functional Disability, and Lumbar Reposition Error in Patients With Chronic Non-Specific Low Back Pain

May 5, 2026 updated by: Karim Osama, Cairo University

Effect of Virtual Reality Training on Pain, Functional Disability, and Lumbar Reposition Error in Patients With Chronic Non-Specific Low Back Pain: A Randomized Control Trial

This study aims to investigate the effect of virtual reality (VR) training on pain intensity, functional disability, and lumbar reposition error in patients with chronic non-specific low back pain.

Study Overview

Status

Completed

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Detailed Description

This randomized controlled trial was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of virtual reality (VR) training in patients with chronic non-specific low back pain (CNSLBP). Chronic low back pain is a highly prevalent condition associated with impaired proprioception, altered motor control, and functional disability.

Fifty participants diagnosed with CNSLBP were randomly assigned into two groups. The intervention group received virtual reality-based training in addition to conventional physiotherapy, while the control group received conventional treatment alone.

Outcome measures included pain intensity assessed by the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), functional disability assessed by the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), and lumbar repositioning error measured using an iPhone inclinometer application.

The study aimed to determine whether VR training could significantly improve pain, functional outcomes, and proprioceptive accuracy in this population.

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Actual)

50

Phase

  • 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 Locations

  • Egypt
      • Giza, Egypt, 12613
        • Cairo 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

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Patients with low back pain ≥ 12 weeks Age: 21-45 years Both genders BMI: 18.5-24.9

Exclusion Criteria:

  • iabetic neuropathy Sciatica Spine deformities Previous lumbar surgery Neurological or vestibular disorders Visual disorders Malignancy or trauma Structural spinal disorders (stenosis, osteoporosis, etc.)

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: None (Open Label)

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
Active Comparator: Arm 1
Participants in this group received conventional physiotherapy including TENS, therapeutic ultrasound, and proprioceptive exercises.
Device: Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS)
TENS was applied in a prone position with electrodes placed over the painful area. Low-frequency stimulation (2-10 Hz) was used to achieve analgesic effects. Intensity was adjusted to produce a strong but comfortable tingling sensation. Each session lasted 20-60 minutes.
Drug: Therapeutic Ultrasound
Ultrasound therapy was applied using appropriate frequency (1 MHz for deep tissues, 3 MHz for superficial tissues) and intensity (0.5-2.0 W/cm²). Continuous or pulsed modes were selected based on the condition. Each session lasted 5-10 minutes.
Other: Proprioceptive Exercises
Participants performed trunk stabilization exercises including supine bridge, supine bridge on Swiss ball, and prone plank. Each exercise was performed for 30 seconds with 30 seconds rest, repeated 5 times, 3 sets per session, 3 times per week.
Experimental: Group 2
Participants in this group received the same conventional physiotherapy program in addition to virtual reality (VR) training.
Device: Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS)
TENS was applied in a prone position with electrodes placed over the painful area. Low-frequency stimulation (2-10 Hz) was used to achieve analgesic effects. Intensity was adjusted to produce a strong but comfortable tingling sensation. Each session lasted 20-60 minutes.
Drug: Therapeutic Ultrasound
Ultrasound therapy was applied using appropriate frequency (1 MHz for deep tissues, 3 MHz for superficial tissues) and intensity (0.5-2.0 W/cm²). Continuous or pulsed modes were selected based on the condition. Each session lasted 5-10 minutes.
Other: Proprioceptive Exercises
Participants performed trunk stabilization exercises including supine bridge, supine bridge on Swiss ball, and prone plank. Each exercise was performed for 30 seconds with 30 seconds rest, repeated 5 times, 3 sets per session, 3 times per week.
Device: Virtual Reality (VR) Training

Participants underwent VR training using Xbox 360 Kinect system. The setup included a motion sensor and projector, allowing full-body interaction through game-based activities.

Training consisted of interactive games (e.g., rafting, running, ball hitting) designed to improve trunk control and motor function. Sessions were conducted twice weekly for 30 minutes over 12 weeks. Exercises included movements such as jumping, trunk tilting, and arm coordination, with progressive difficulty levels.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Time Frame
Pain intensity (VAS)
Time Frame: 1 Month
1 Month
Functional disability (Oswestry Disability Index)
Time Frame: 1 Month
1 Month
Lumbar reposition error (iPhone inclinometer)
Time Frame: 1 Month
1 Month

Collaborators and Investigators

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

Sponsor

Cairo University

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)

September 3, 2025

Primary Completion (Actual)

April 15, 2026

Study Completion (Actual)

April 30, 2026

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

May 5, 2026

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

May 5, 2026

First Posted (Actual)

May 11, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

May 11, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

May 5, 2026

Last Verified

May 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • P.T.REC/012/00604

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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