By InvitationNot Applicable

Can Virtual Reality Exercise Help Restore Both Body and Mind in Chronic Low Back Pain

South Korea60 participantsStarted 2025-09-28

Plain-language summary

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if an immersive virtual reality (VR) exercise program can help reduce back pain and improve physical function and psychological well-being in adults with chronic low back pain. The main questions it aim to answer are * Does the virtual reality (VR) exercise reduce back pain? * Does it lead to positive changes in how participants perceive pain? * Does it improve back flexibility and reduce disability in daily activities? * Does it help reduce the fear of movement and negative thoughts related to pain? Method Wear a Meta Quest 3s device and participate in a 15-minute virtual reality exercise program called 'FitXR'. Be evaluated for their back pain, sensory test, range of motion, and level of disability in daily life before and after the exercise program. Complete questionnaires about their thoughts and feelings regarding their pain and movement.

Who can participate

Age range

18 Years – 40 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: * Age 18-40 years. * Non-specific chronic low back pain lasting ≥3 months. * Baseline pain intensity VAS ≥4/10. * Kinesiophobia (TSK-13) ≥34. * Able to perform physical activity using immersive VR (screened as suitable for head-mounted display-based activity). * Understands the study purpose and procedures and provides written informed consent. Exclusion Criteria: * Severe pain making participation infeasible: VAS ≥8/10. * Lumbar spine surgery within the past 6 months. * Severe musculoskeletal disorders (e.g., advanced osteoarthritis, pathological vertebral fracture). * Neurological disorders (e.g., multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, stroke). * Cardiovascular disease (e.g., heart failure, clinically significant arrhythmia, recent myocardial infarction). * Simulator Sickness Questionnaire (SSQ): total score ≥20 or any single item scored 3. * Vulnerable populations excluded: minors, older adults, individuals with psychiatric disorders or cognitive impairment, and pregnant persons.

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

Quantitative Sensory Testing (QST): Specifically including Conditioned Pain Modulation (CPM) and Temporal Summation (TS) protocols.

Timeframe: Measured at Week 1 (baseline), Week 6 (post-intervention), and Week 8 (follow-up).

Trial details

NCT IDNCT07207083

Sponsordongmin kang

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2025-12-16

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