A Virtual Reality Game Suite for Graded Rehabilitation in Patients With Low Back Pain and a High Fear of Movement: Within-Subject Comparative Study

Get Your Head in the Game: A Replicated Single-Case Experimental Design Evaluating the Effect of a Novel Virtual Reality Intervention in People With Chronic Low Back Pain

Chronic low back pain (CLBP) is a leading cause of disability worldwide. Contemporary treatment of CLBP is suboptimal, with small-moderate effect sizes and high relapse rates. Virtual reality (VR) is an increasingly accessible technology that can improve adherence to exercise programs through gamification. Using VR to facilitate exercise adherence and enjoyment may improve the clinical outcomes. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of a gamified VR graded activity intervention in people with CLBP, using commercially available and bespoke VR programs. A sequentially replicated, multiple-baseline, randomized AB single-case experimental design was undertaken in 10 people with CLBP. Outcomes were assessed daily and included pain intensity (primary) and pain catastrophizing, pain-related fear, and anxiety/worry (secondary). The effect of the intervention on the primary outcome was evaluated using a multilevel-model, nonparametric randomization test. The VR graded activity intervention resulted in a significant reduction in pain intensity (effect estimate = -1.0, standard error = .27, P < .0011) with 4 participants achieving ≥30% pain reduction (minimum important change). There was a significant effect of the intervention on pain catastrophizing but not pain-related fear or anxiety/worry measures. These findings provide preliminary support for a VR graded activity program to reduce pain in people with CLBP. PERSPECTIVE: This novel, VR graded activity intervention reduced pain intensity and catastrophizing in people with CLBP. The intervention also had high adherence and enjoyment. Given that this intervention involved 2 freely available VR programs, it can be easily translated into clinical practice.

Feedback on Trunk Movements From an Electronic Game to Improve Postural Balance in People With Nonspecific Low Back Pain: Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

Background

Postural balance is compromised in people with low back pain, possibly by changes in motor control of the trunk. Augmenting exercising interventions with sensor-based feedback on trunk posture and movements might improve postural balance in people with low back pain.

Objective

We hypothesized that exercising with feedback on trunk movements reduces sway in anterior-posterior direction during quiet standing in people with low back pain. Secondary outcomes were lumbar spine and hip movement assessed during box lift and waiter bow tasks, as well as participant-reported outcomes. Adherence to the exercising intervention was also examined.

Methods

A randomized controlled trial was conducted with the intervention group receiving unsupervised home exercises with visual feedback using the Valedo Home, an exergame based on 2 inertial measurement units. The control group received no intervention. Outcomes were recorded by blinded staff during 4 visits (T1-T4) at University Hospital Zurich. The intervention group performed 9 sessions of 20 minutes in the 3 weeks between T2 and T3 and were instructed to exercise at their own convenience between T3 and T4. Postural balance was assessed on a force platform. Lumbar spine and hip angles were obtained from 3 inertial measurement units. The assessments included pain intensity, disability, quality of life, and fear of movement questionnaires.

Results

A total of 32 participants with nonspecific low back pain completed the first assessment T1, and 27 (84%) participants were randomized at T2 (n=14, 52% control and n=13, 48% intervention). Intention-to-treat analysis revealed no significant difference in change in anterior-posterior sway direction during the intervention period with a specified schedule (T2-T3) between the groups (W=99; P=.36; r=0.07). None of the outcomes showed significant change in accordance with our hypotheses. The intervention group completed a median of 61% (55/90; range 2%-99%) of the exercises in the predefined training program. Adherence was higher in the first intervention period with a specified schedule.

Conclusions

The intervention had no significant effect on postural balance or other outcomes, but the wide range of adherence and a limited sample size challenged the robustness of these conclusions. Future work should increase focus on improving adherence to digital interventions.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04364243; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04364243

International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)

RR2-10.2196/26982