Virtual Reality Therapy for Chronic Low Back Pain

Study Results

Results available

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Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

COMPLETED

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

413 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2020-09-21

Study Completion Date

2024-02-01

Brief Summary

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This study will test the efficacy of an evidence-based virtual reality (VR) therapy program as a non-pharmacological supplement for the management of chronic lower back pain. Study participants will be randomized to receive one of three VR programs: Skills-Based VR, Distraction VR, or Sham VR. In addition to a VR headset, all participants will receive a Fitbit Charge 4 watch. Study devices will be delivered to the participant's home with instructions for use via FedEx; participants will receive remote technical support. They will be followed for 90 days and complete Patient Reported Outcome (PRO) questionnaires to assess functional status, pain levels, and use of pain medications (including opioids). Participants will also be asked to provide consent/authorization to access medical records from their treating facility.

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Detailed Description

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This is a randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled trial for individuals with chronic lower back pain. This study investigates the effect of at-home virtual reality (VR) pain reduction therapies on a set of outcome measures. The primary outcome is Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Pain Interference version 8. This study will enroll 360 analyzable participants into one of three VR therapy groups. Data collection will occur at home via personal computer or smartphone (iPhone/android), with baseline data collected one week before the intervention is mailed to the patient. Participants will have the VR headset for 90 days. Patients are also sent Fitbit smartwatches to track physical activity.

Conditions

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Chronic Low Back Pain

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

Primary Study Purpose

TREATMENT

Blinding Strategy

QUADRUPLE

Participants Caregivers Investigators Outcome Assessors

Participants, Providers, Primary Investigator, and Biostatistician were all blinded to allocations until the end of data collection.

Study Groups

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Distraction-Based VR

EaseVRx-Distraction has the same number of experiences, the same approximate duration of experiences, and the identical user interface as EaseVRx+, with a linear prescribed sequence of experiences. The key differences are the lack of an on-demand library and that instead of offering a variety of VR experiences including education, games, and breath biofeedback, EaseVRx Distraction only includes 360-degree videos - which are also present in EaseVRx+. This is intended to remove the effect of education and skills-based training, while preserving the immersive experience of 360- degree VR.

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Distraction-Based VR

Intervention Type DEVICE

Participants will use the Pico G2 4K VR audio and visual head-mounted device, loaded with the EaseVRx-Distraction software. The Pico G2 4K is a standalone VR headset that comes with an orientation-tracked controller. It does not require a smartphone or personal computer to operate. The device supports 3 degrees of freedom (3DOF) head tracking, has best-in-class optics, and a wide field-of-view. The headset battery requires recharging after approximately 2.5 hours of use.

https://www.pico-interactive.com/us/G2\_4K.html

Activity Tracker

Intervention Type DEVICE

Participants among all arms will be provided the option to passively wear a Fitbit Charge 4 throughout their 90-day study enrollment period. The Fitbit collects biometric data such as daily steps, heart rate, hours of sleep, stages of sleep, and sleep efficiency.

Sham VR

EaseVRx-Sham software includes 2D nature footage accompanied by neutral music that is selected to be neither relaxing nor distracting, rather than 360-degree, 3D, interactive content specially selected for efficacy. The experience of using EaseVRx-Sham is similar to watching a large-screen TV, but it is not interactive or immersive. EaseVRx Sham has the same number and duration of experiences as the EaseVRx+ linear prescribed sequence but does not contain an on-demand library; the functionality of the user interface used to access the experiences is otherwise the same as EaseVRx+. Modifications were made to the appearance of the user interface in order to remove aspects that were added for therapeutic benefit.

Group Type SHAM_COMPARATOR

Sham VR

Intervention Type DEVICE

Participants will use the Pico G2 4K VR audio and visual head-mounted device, loaded with the EaseVRx-Sham software. The Pico G2 4K is a standalone VR headset that comes with an orientation-tracked controller. It does not require a smartphone or personal computer to operate. The device supports 3 degrees of freedom (3DOF) head tracking, has best-in-class optics, and a wide field-of-view. The headset battery requires recharging after approximately 2.5 hours of use.

https://www.pico-interactive.com/us/G2\_4K.html

Activity Tracker

Intervention Type DEVICE

Participants among all arms will be provided the option to passively wear a Fitbit Charge 4 throughout their 90-day study enrollment period. The Fitbit collects biometric data such as daily steps, heart rate, hours of sleep, stages of sleep, and sleep efficiency.

Skills-Based VR

EaseVRx+ incorporates the evidence-based principles of CBT, mindful meditation, and physiologic biofeedback therapy using embedded biometric sensors. It combines psychoeducation, pain education, breathing training, relaxation exercises, and executive functioning games to provide a mind-body approach toward living better with chronic pain. The standardized, prescriptive, and reproducible 56-day program delivers a combination of skills training and CBT-related treatments through scheduled daily virtual experiences. EaseVRx+ also features an on-demand library, allowing users to access any of the unique video sessions as needed.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Skills-Based VR

Intervention Type DEVICE

Participants will use the Pico G2 4K VR audio and visual head-mounted device, loaded with the EaseVRx+ software. The Pico G2 4K is a standalone VR headset that comes with an orientation-tracked controller. It does not require a smartphone or personal computer to operate. The device supports 3 degrees of freedom (3DOF) head tracking, has best-in-class optics, and a wide field-of-view. The headset battery requires recharging after approximately 2.5 hours of use.

https://www.pico-interactive.com/us/G2\_4K.html

Activity Tracker

Intervention Type DEVICE

Participants among all arms will be provided the option to passively wear a Fitbit Charge 4 throughout their 90-day study enrollment period. The Fitbit collects biometric data such as daily steps, heart rate, hours of sleep, stages of sleep, and sleep efficiency.

Interventions

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Distraction-Based VR

Participants will use the Pico G2 4K VR audio and visual head-mounted device, loaded with the EaseVRx-Distraction software. The Pico G2 4K is a standalone VR headset that comes with an orientation-tracked controller. It does not require a smartphone or personal computer to operate. The device supports 3 degrees of freedom (3DOF) head tracking, has best-in-class optics, and a wide field-of-view. The headset battery requires recharging after approximately 2.5 hours of use.

https://www.pico-interactive.com/us/G2\_4K.html

Intervention Type DEVICE

Sham VR

Participants will use the Pico G2 4K VR audio and visual head-mounted device, loaded with the EaseVRx-Sham software. The Pico G2 4K is a standalone VR headset that comes with an orientation-tracked controller. It does not require a smartphone or personal computer to operate. The device supports 3 degrees of freedom (3DOF) head tracking, has best-in-class optics, and a wide field-of-view. The headset battery requires recharging after approximately 2.5 hours of use.

https://www.pico-interactive.com/us/G2\_4K.html

Intervention Type DEVICE

Skills-Based VR

Participants will use the Pico G2 4K VR audio and visual head-mounted device, loaded with the EaseVRx+ software. The Pico G2 4K is a standalone VR headset that comes with an orientation-tracked controller. It does not require a smartphone or personal computer to operate. The device supports 3 degrees of freedom (3DOF) head tracking, has best-in-class optics, and a wide field-of-view. The headset battery requires recharging after approximately 2.5 hours of use.

https://www.pico-interactive.com/us/G2\_4K.html

Intervention Type DEVICE

Activity Tracker

Participants among all arms will be provided the option to passively wear a Fitbit Charge 4 throughout their 90-day study enrollment period. The Fitbit collects biometric data such as daily steps, heart rate, hours of sleep, stages of sleep, and sleep efficiency.

Intervention Type DEVICE

Other Intervention Names

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EaseVRx-Distraction Software PICO G2 4k EaseVRx-Sham Software PICO G2 4k EaseVRx+ Software PICO G2 4k Fitbit Charge 4

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

1. Able to provide consent to participate in research
2. Stated willingness to comply with all study procedures and availability for the duration of the study
3. Male or female, age 13 or older
4. An ongoing low back-pain problem that has persisted at least 3 months and has resulted in pain on at least half the days in the past 6 months.
5. Ability to comprehend spoken and written English
6. Owns a compatible android or iOS smartphone, or personal laptop or desktop computer (excluding tablets) to complete surveys and has access to email.

Exclusion Criteria

1. Presents with a condition that interferes with virtual reality usage, including history of seizure, facial injury precluding safe placement of headset, significant visual or hearing impairment that impacts ability to see the virtual reality images or follow audio instructions
2. Are being recommended for long-term hospitalization that would require more than three-week stay in the hospital
3. Received surgical procedure within the previous 8 weeks
4. Surgery is planned within the next 3 months
5. Is currently using a spinal cord stimulator
6. Has low back pain attributable to a recognizable, specific pathology, including spinal infection, cancer, fracture, or inflammatory spondylopathies, consistent with the NIH Task force on Research Standards for chronic low back pain
7. Previously participated in a virtual reality clinical trial

Minimum Eligible Age

13 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No