Effects of Virtual Reality-Assisted Pain Neuroscience Education on Chronic Nonspecific Low Back Pain
NCT ID: NCT07305597
Last Updated: 2025-12-26
Study Results
The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.
Basic Information
Get a concise snapshot of the trial, including recruitment status, study phase, enrollment targets, and key timeline milestones.
NOT_YET_RECRUITING
NA
60 participants
INTERVENTIONAL
2026-01-15
2026-05-15
Brief Summary
Review the sponsor-provided synopsis that highlights what the study is about and why it is being conducted.
Detailed Description
Dive into the extended narrative that explains the scientific background, objectives, and procedures in greater depth.
At this point, virtual reality (VR) technology may enhance the effectiveness of pain education by providing an interactive and engaging learning environment. VR has been reported to facilitate cognitive restructuring in individuals with chronic pain and to increase motivation for participation. Moreover, VR-supported rehabilitation interventions have been shown to have short-term positive effects on pain and kinesiophobia in chronic pain conditions.
Core stabilization exercises are an effective method for improving postural control and functional stability in low back pain by regulating the activation of muscles surrounding the spine. However, purely physical approaches may be insufficient in adequately addressing the psychological dimensions of pain. Integrating VR-supported PNE into an exercise program may broaden the scope of rehabilitation by simultaneously influencing both biomechanical and cognitive processes. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the effects of adding VR-supported pain education to core stabilization exercises on pain, kinesiophobia, pain catastrophizing, functional status, and balance in individuals with CNSLBP. This holistic approach is expected to provide an innovative contribution to conventional exercise protocols and to shed light on the biopsychosocial management of chronic low back pain.
Conditions
See the medical conditions and disease areas that this research is targeting or investigating.
Keywords
Explore important study keywords that can help with search, categorization, and topic discovery.
Study Design
Understand how the trial is structured, including allocation methods, masking strategies, primary purpose, and other design elements.
RANDOMIZED
PARALLEL
TREATMENT
SINGLE
Study Groups
Review each arm or cohort in the study, along with the interventions and objectives associated with them.
Core Stabilization + Classic Pain Neuroscience Education
Individuals in this group will undergo classical pain education (based on visual presentation or face-to-face instruction) along with core stabilization exercises targeting the muscles surrounding the spine. The exercises will be organized according to protocols reported in the literature as safe and effective and will include the following elements:
* Exercises that activate the transversus abdominis and multifidus muscles (e.g., abdominal bracing, bird-dog, plank, side bridge)
* Posture and spinal control exercises
* Stretching and mobilization movements (lumbar flexion/extension, hip flexor stretches)
* Each exercise will be performed in 2-3 sets of 10-15 repetitions, with the load increased according to participant tolerance.
During the application process, participants will be provided with classic educational materials (e.g., verbal explanations or informative brochures) about the physiological basis of pain, movement safety, and exercise-related pain management. Thi
Core Stabilization Exercises
Individuals in this group will undergo classical pain education (based on visual presentation or face-to-face instruction) along with core stabilization exercises targeting the muscles surrounding the spine. The exercises will be organized according to protocols reported in the literature as safe and effective and will include the following elements:
* Exercises that activate the transversus abdominis and multifidus muscles (e.g., abdominal bracing, bird-dog, plank, side bridge)
* Posture and spinal control exercises
* Stretching and mobilization movements (lumbar flexion/extension, hip flexor stretches)
* Each exercise will be performed in 2-3 sets of 10-15 repetitions, with the load increased according to participant tolerance.
Classic Pain Neuroscience Education
During the application process, participants will be provided with traditional educational materials (e.g., verbal explanations or informational brochures) on the physiological basis of pain, movement safety, and pain management related to exercise. This training will not include virtual reality support.
Core Stabilization + Virtual Reality-Assisted Pain Neuroscience Education
Individuals in this group will receive SG-supported pain education in addition to the Group 1 protocol. Program details:
1. Initial Session (Week 1)
* 20-30 minutes of pain education modules in the SG environment
* Information on the neurophysiological basis of pain, catastrophizing, and fear-avoidance behaviors
* Reinforcement with interactive questions and short exercises
2. Weekly Reinforcement (Weeks 2-6)
* 10-15 minutes of short SG modules each week
* Integration with core exercise sessions
Core Stabilization Exercises
Individuals in this group will undergo classical pain education (based on visual presentation or face-to-face instruction) along with core stabilization exercises targeting the muscles surrounding the spine. The exercises will be organized according to protocols reported in the literature as safe and effective and will include the following elements:
* Exercises that activate the transversus abdominis and multifidus muscles (e.g., abdominal bracing, bird-dog, plank, side bridge)
* Posture and spinal control exercises
* Stretching and mobilization movements (lumbar flexion/extension, hip flexor stretches)
* Each exercise will be performed in 2-3 sets of 10-15 repetitions, with the load increased according to participant tolerance.
Virtual Reality-supported pain neuroscience education program
Details of the Virtual Reality-supported pain neuroscience education program:
1. Introductory Session (Week 1)
* 20-30 minutes of pain education modules in the VR environment
* Information on the neurophysiological basis of pain, catastrophizing, and fear-avoidance behaviors
* Reinforcement with interactive questions and short exercises
2. Weekly Reinforcement (Weeks 2-6)
* 10-15 minutes of short VR modules each week
* Integration with core exercise sessions
Interventions
Learn about the drugs, procedures, or behavioral strategies being tested and how they are applied within this trial.
Core Stabilization Exercises
Individuals in this group will undergo classical pain education (based on visual presentation or face-to-face instruction) along with core stabilization exercises targeting the muscles surrounding the spine. The exercises will be organized according to protocols reported in the literature as safe and effective and will include the following elements:
* Exercises that activate the transversus abdominis and multifidus muscles (e.g., abdominal bracing, bird-dog, plank, side bridge)
* Posture and spinal control exercises
* Stretching and mobilization movements (lumbar flexion/extension, hip flexor stretches)
* Each exercise will be performed in 2-3 sets of 10-15 repetitions, with the load increased according to participant tolerance.
Classic Pain Neuroscience Education
During the application process, participants will be provided with traditional educational materials (e.g., verbal explanations or informational brochures) on the physiological basis of pain, movement safety, and pain management related to exercise. This training will not include virtual reality support.
Virtual Reality-supported pain neuroscience education program
Details of the Virtual Reality-supported pain neuroscience education program:
1. Introductory Session (Week 1)
* 20-30 minutes of pain education modules in the VR environment
* Information on the neurophysiological basis of pain, catastrophizing, and fear-avoidance behaviors
* Reinforcement with interactive questions and short exercises
2. Weekly Reinforcement (Weeks 2-6)
* 10-15 minutes of short VR modules each week
* Integration with core exercise sessions
Eligibility Criteria
Check the participation requirements, including inclusion and exclusion rules, age limits, and whether healthy volunteers are accepted.
Inclusion Criteria
* Have a diagnosis of nonspecific low back pain with a history of low back pain lasting at least 3 months
* Have no specific pathologies that could cause low back pain (e.g., tumor, infection, fracture, inflammatory disease)
* Be able to walk independently and have the capacity to exercise
* Mini Mental State Examination score \>23
Exclusion Criteria
* Individuals with central or peripheral neurological disorders (e.g., multiple sclerosis, peripheral neuropathy, Parkinson's disease),
* Those with vestibular, visual, or balance disorders (those at risk of dizziness or nausea during virtual reality applications),
* Those with serious cardiopulmonary or systemic diseases,
* Those with psychiatric disorders or a diagnosis of severe depression, those who are pregnant
* Individuals with a history of dizziness, epilepsy, or visual disturbances associated with virtual reality use
18 Years
65 Years
ALL
No
Sponsors
Meet the organizations funding or collaborating on the study and learn about their roles.
Kirsehir Ahi Evran Universitesi
OTHER
Responsible Party
Identify the individual or organization who holds primary responsibility for the study information submitted to regulators.
İrem CANLI
Research Assistant
Locations
Explore where the study is taking place and check the recruitment status at each participating site.
Kırşehir Ahi Evran University
Merkez, Kirşehi̇r, Turkey (Türkiye)
Countries
Review the countries where the study has at least one active or historical site.
Central Contacts
Reach out to these primary contacts for questions about participation or study logistics.
Facility Contacts
Find local site contact details for specific facilities participating in the trial.
İrem CANLI
Role: primary
Other Identifiers
Review additional registry numbers or institutional identifiers associated with this trial.
23591230588=
Identifier Type: -
Identifier Source: org_study_id