Effect of VR-MBCT in Chronic Nonspecific Low Back Pain

Summary

This is a multi-center, prospective, open-label randomized controlled trial evaluating the efficacy and safety of virtual reality-based mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (VR-MBCT) as an adjunct to usual care in adults with chronic nonspecific low back pain (CNLBP). A total of 214 participants aged 20-70 years with pain duration ≥3 months and average back pain bothersomeness ≥4 (0-10 scale) will be enrolled from three hospitals in China and randomized 1:1 to an 8-week VR-MBCT intervention group or a waitlist usual care control group. The co-primary outcomes are the proportions of patients achieving ≥30% improvement from baseline in Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and self-rated back pain bothersomeness at week 8. Secondary outcomes include pain intensity (NRS), global improvement, anxiety (GAD-7), depression (PHQ-9), physical activity (IPAQ-SF), sleep quality (SQS), fear-avoidance beliefs (FABQ-PA), pain catastrophizing (PCS), work productivity (WPAI-GH), treatment use, system usability (SUS), and patient satisfaction. Safety will be monitored for VR-related adverse events. Assessments will be performed at baseline (T0), week 4 (T1), week 8 (T2), and week 26 (T3). Data will be analyzed following the intention-to-treat principle using mixed-effects models and per-protocol analyses.

Conditions

• Chronic Non-specific Low Back Pain

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Virtual Reality-Based Mindfulness Cognitive Therapy (VR-MBCT)

Participants in the intervention group will receive an 8-week VR-based telerehabilitation program integrating mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT), pain neuroscience education (PNE), and graded exposure principles, specifically designed for chronic non-specific low back pain (CNLBP) besides usual clinical care. The program will be delivered through a VR-MR system co-developed by the research team and a technology company in Hangzhou. The system will comprise a PICO Ultra VR-MR headset for immersive mixed-reality experiences and a DM-TG01A motion capture camera for real-time tracking of participant movements and postures. All equipment will be provided to participants at no cost.

OTHER

Waitlist Usual Care Control Group

The control group will receive standard clinical care (including pharmacological treatment, physical therapy, and home exercise as usual) without any structured VR training for the initial 8-week study period. After completing the 6-month follow-up assessment, control group participants will be offered the same 8-week VR-MBCT program based on their choices.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University

  collaborator OTHER

• Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital

  collaborator OTHER

• The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Xiaohong Jin, MD, PHD · The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

NONE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

20 Years

Max Age

70 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2026-04-01

Primary Completion

2027-04-01

Completion

2027-04-01

Countries

• China

Study Locations