VRFR- Immersive Virtual Reality Use in a Spine Functional Restoration Program - A Feasibility Study

Overview

This clinical trial investigates the feasibility of integrating immersive virtual reality (VR) technology into a functional restoration program (FRP) for patients with chronic low back pain (CLBP). The study aims to assess the acceptability, usability, and impact of a VR headset on both healthcare providers and patients participating in a group-based rehabilitation program. Chronic low back pain is a leading cause of functional disability worldwide and significantly impacts quality of life. Current rehabilitation strategies, including FRP, focus on improving physical functioning through multidisciplinary approaches. However, the role of emerging technologies, particularly VR, in enhancing these rehabilitation programs remains underexplored. VR has already shown promise in reducing chronic pain and improving motor abilities, but its application in a group rehabilitation context for CLBP is novel. The study will recruit healthcare providers and patients from several centers that are part of the Lombaction network. Participants will use a VR headset designed specifically to improve motor skills and reduce pain. The primary objective is to evaluate the acceptability of the VR device by healthcare providers and patients, as well as the usability and adherence to the VR program. Secondary objectives include assessing the impact of VR on kinesiophobia, pain, functional abilities, and motor imagery capabilities. This pilot study will provide valuable insights into the feasibility of incorporating VR into group-based rehabilitation programs, offering a foundation for larger comparative trials aimed at evaluating the long-term effectiveness of VR in improving rehabilitation outcomes for chronic low back pain.

Study Overview: This multicentric, prospective, exploratory, interventional pilot study aims to assess the feasibility of integrating an immersive virtual reality (VR) headset into a functional restoration program (FRP) for patients with chronic low back pain (CLBP). Chronic low back pain is a leading cause of disability, and although current FRP approaches have demonstrated benefits, there is limited research on the integration of emerging technologies like VR into these rehabilitation programs. The primary focus of this study is to evaluate the acceptability and usability of VR technology among both healthcare providers and patients involved in group-based FRP rehabilitation. Secondary objectives include assessing the potential effects of VR on reducing kinesiophobia, improving motor imagery abilities, reducing pain, and enhancing overall functional capabilities. Study Objectives: Primary Objective: To assess the acceptability of the immersive VR headset for healthcare providers managing patients with CLBP in the context of a group-based FRP. Secondary Objectives: - To evaluate the usability and adherence of patients to the VR program.- To measure the effects of the VR sessions on kinesiophobia, motor imagery abilities, pain levels, and functional capacities. - To explore the factors influencing healthcare providers' and patients' acceptance of the VR device in this rehabilitation setting. Study Design: This study is designed as a pilot, multicentric, prospective, and interventional trial. Participants will be recruited from healthcare centers within the Lombaction network, a research-driven initiative for the management and evaluation of CLBP. Patients will receive standard FRP rehabilitation, along with 3 weekly VR sessions designed to enhance motor function and reduce pain through specific exercises targeting the spine and trunk. The VR system used is an immersive, wireless headset, designed to allow a wide variety of movement and requires no external controllers. Intervention: Patients will receive the standard FRP rehabilitation, which includes a combination of physiotherapy, hydrotherapy, occupational therapy, adapted physical activity, and therapeutic education workshops. The VR intervention will involve the use of a headset with pre-programmed exergames designed to improve trunk movement (flexion, extension, rotation, etc.). Each session will last 20 minutes, with exercises lasting 5-7 minutes each, aligned with current best practices in rehabilitation. The VR device is designed to be intuitive, requiring minimal setup, and will be used in a dedicated space at the rehabilitation center. In addition to the regular rehabilitation program, participants will engage in VR sessions three times per week for the duration of the FRP, which lasts 4-5 weeks. The VR sessions are intended to complement and enhance the physical rehabilitation by promoting movement, addressing kinesiophobia, and providing immersive, distraction-based pain management. Data Collection: Data will be collected at several points throughout the study: Baseline: At the beginning of the FRP, all patients will complete several questionnaires, including the Dallas Pain Questionnaire (DPQ), Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia (TSK), Low Back Imagery Questionnaire, and a Visual Analog Scale (VAS) to assess pain. During the program: Patients will complete VAS assessments before and after each VR session. Weekly adherence data will be collected, noting whether the VR session was completed and the reasons for any missed sessions. End of the program: At the end of the FRP, participants will complete the same questionnaires as at baseline, as well as an additional acceptability questionnaire, and the System Usability Scale (SUS) to assess the usability of the VR device. Conclusion. This pilot study is designed to explore the feasibility of incorporating immersive VR technology into an existing FRP for patients with chronic low back pain. The results will provide valuable insights into the acceptability, usability, and potential therapeutic effects of VR in a group rehabilitation setting. If successful, this study could pave the way for larger trials to evaluate the long-term benefits of VR in the management of chronic low back pain and its integration into multidisciplinary rehabilitation programs.