Effectiveness of Virtual Reality-Assisted Physical Therapy in the Acute Phase After Lumbar Disc S… (NCT07204197) | Clinical Trial Compass
By InvitationNot Applicable
Effectiveness of Virtual Reality-Assisted Physical Therapy in the Acute Phase After Lumbar Disc Surgery
Turkey (Türkiye)46 participantsStarted 2025-07-17
Plain-language summary
The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate the effectiveness of virtual reality-assisted physical therapy in the acute postoperative period after lumbar disc surgery.
The main questions it aims to answer are:
* Does virtual reality-assisted physical therapy reduce pain more effectively than conventional physical therapy?
* Does it improve functional recovery, pain threshold, and blood biomediator levels?
* Does it reduce anxiety and kinesiophobia in the early rehabilitation period?
Researchers will compare virtual reality-assisted physical therapy with standard physical therapy to determine whether virtual reality provides additional therapeutic benefits.
Participants will:
* Undergo standard postoperative physical therapy after lumbar disc surgery.
* Some participants will additionally perform virtual reality-based rehabilitation exercises.
* Be evaluated for pain severity, functional improvement, blood biomediators, pain threshold, and psychological outcomes.
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years – 65 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion Criteria:
* Adults aged 18-65 years.
* Undergoing lumbar discectomy surgery (L4-L5 or L5-S1 levels).
* Able to start postoperative physical therapy on day 1 after surgery.
* Willing and able to provide informed consent.
* Sufficient cognitive and physical ability to participate in physical therapy and virtual reality sessions.
Exclusion Criteria:
* History of previous lumbar spine surgery.
* Severe neurological deficits (e.g., cauda equina syndrome, progressive motor weakness).
* Diagnosed epilepsy, severe psychiatric illness, or other conditions contraindicate VR use.
* Significant visual or vestibular impairments preventing safe VR participation.
* Uncontrolled systemic diseases (e.g., cardiovascular, respiratory, or metabolic instability).
* Pregnancy.
* Inability to understand study instructions or complete outcome assessments.
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
Pain Intensity (VAS)
Timeframe: Baseline (Postoperative Day 1, before intervention) and at postoperative day 2 (upon completion of the intervention).
2
Pain Pressure Threshold (Algometry)
Timeframe: Baseline (Postoperative Day 1, before intervention) and at postoperative day 2 (upon completion of the intervention).