Immersive Virtual Reality and Chronic Back Pain
CompletedNot applicableNCT04307446
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This study has no listed site in Canada in this snapshot. It is included as part of the worldwide chronic pain corpus.
Brief summary (from the registry)
In the proposed project the investigators will evaluate the feasibility of Immersive Virtual Reality (IVR) and assess the initial effects of IVR on symptoms, affect, and tolerance to cutaneous stimuli. In this single-arm trial, the investigators will recruit 20 adults with CBP. Prior to their IVR experience, subjects will complete multiday baseline assessments using ecological momentary assessment (EMA) methodology to establish typical levels of symptoms and affect. Afterward, in a single experimental session, they will participate in two counterbalanced IVR sessions: one 10-minute and one 20-minute. Immediately after each session the investigators will measure current symptoms and affect using valid and reliable self-report questionnaires, and we will measure changes in tolerance to cutaneous stimuli using quantitative sensory testing. We will measure symptoms and affect for 72 hours after the experimental session using EMA to determine if there is a carryover. At the completion of this study, we will continue to work with stakeholders to develop clinically relevant IVR interventions for people with CBP.
Study details
- Official title
- The Feasibility of Immersive Virtual Reality as a Treatment for Chronic Back Pain
- Conditions
- Interventions
- Sponsor
- Tufts University
- Start date
- 2021-05-01
- Primary completion
- 2022-07-06
- Sex
- All
- Age range
- from 20 Years to 75 Years
- Results posted
- Yes, on ClinicalTrials.gov
- Countries
- United States
- Total sites listed
- 1
Eligibility criteria
Show eligibility criteria (verbatim from the registry)
Inclusion Criteria: 1. 20 to 75 years old 2. Any Back Pain (including neck pain) that has lasted greater than 3 months due to non-cancer related injury or illness. Exclusion Criteria: 1. People with back pain primarily due to rheumatic (e.g. rheumatoid arthritis or fibromyalgia) 2. people with back pain due to central neurological disorders (e.g. stroke, multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injury) 3. has contagious disorder on the face (such as pink eye) that could be transmitted via the VR head set or has open areas on the face that would come in contact with the headset 4. had a seizure, loss of awareness, or other symptom linked to an epileptic condition 5. insufficient vision to see IVR programs 6. insufficient upper extremity coordination to operate IVR controls 7. insufficient cognitive ability to answer questionnaires or learn to use the IVR 8. unable to understand and respond to English 9. Does not own a cell phone or tablet for baseline and follow-up EMA testing.
Source: ClinicalTrials.gov (US National Library of Medicine), snapshot October 2026. Check the registry for current recruiting status. Record: https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04307446