Neck Movement Training in a Virtual Reality Headset for People with Neck Pain - a Feasibility Study

Summary

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if a virtual reality (VR) intervention for people with chronic neck pain is feasible. The main questions it aims to answer are:

Is it possible to perform a future full-scale randomized controlled trial (RCT) with a remotely supervised VR-based intervention for people with chronic neck pain?

How do people with neck pain experience using VR in a home-based training intervention?

Researchers will investigate if aspects of a full-scale RCT is feasible. This includes how well the recruitment of participants worked, retention during the intervention, compliance to training program, adverse events, and experience using the VR during training. The study will also investigate initial indication of benefit of the VR intervention, such as effects on pain and function.

Participants will be randomly assigned to either a VR neck training group or an endurance training group. Both groups will perform a training program for 8 weeks with weekly follow ups with their physiotherapist via online meetings.

Conditions

• Neck Pain

Interventions

OTHER

VR neck training

VR intervention 8 weeks. A VR headset is used for assessment and training of sensorimotor functions of the neck. The VR headset has a built-in sensor which can measure movements and give objective test and training results. The results serve as a guide for tailored home-based training programs, also performed with the VR headset in the experimental group. The participant performs the training at home, 15-20 minutes/day 5 days/week, initiallay divided into 3 sessions of 5 minutes each, while progression may lead to longer but fewer sessions. The program is individually tailored to target specific sensorimotor disturbances, and progressed during the intervention to increase the challenge. Participants will have video consultations with their physiotherapist once a week for the first 4 weeks, and every second week for the final 4 weeks. This can be adjusted to fit the participants needs. The VR is a novel technology, and this particular VR based training is not yet evaluated in research.

OTHER

Endurance neck training

An 8-week traditional endurance neck training intervention. The training program consists of neck and shoulder exercises performed with body weight, rubber bands, and free weights. The training is carried out at home, 15-20 minutes per day, 5 days a week. The training is individualized and progressed during the intervention. Participants will have video consultations with their physiotherapist once a week for the first 4 weeks, and then every second week for the final 4 weeks. This can be adjusted to fit the participants needs. This intervention is often used in the clinic and has been evaluated in several research studies with good results to reduce neck pain. However, its effects on sensorimotor functions have been less evaluated. Also, its effects compared to novel VR-training still needs to be evaluated.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Luleå Tekniska Universitet

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Ulrik Röijezon, Professor · Luleå University of Technology. Department of Health, Education and Technology

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

NONE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Max Age

65 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2025-03-31

Primary Completion

2025-07-31

Completion

2025-07-31