RECOVER Injury Research Centre

The effect of pain education and virtual reality gameplay in individuals with persistent low back pain

Study title:

The effect of simulating functional tasks during an immersive virtual reality environment on pain and fear of movement in people with chronic non-specific low back pain

Aims:

  • The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of pain education and virtual reality gameplay on pain levels and fear of movement in individuals with persistent low back pain.
  • The study is also exploring the impacts of these interventions on movement and physical activity levels.
  • While pain education is a well-established treatment intervention, virtual reality gameplay is an emerging treatment and requires more investigation.
  • If virtual reality gameplay combined with pain education is shown to be an effective treatment for pain and fear of movement in individuals with persistent low back pain, this could provide opportunities for alternative treatment approaches that incorporate virtual reality gameplay. This could take place in individual’s homes without the need for regular face to face contact with a physiotherapist.

Types of volunteers needed:

  • Adults (18-65 years of age)
  • Have persistent low back pain (six months or more)
  • Able to attend the Surgical, Treatment and Rehabilitation Services (STARS) Hospital for three weekly sessions

What is involved?

  • If you decide to participate in the study, participation will include attending three weekly sessions at STARS. The first two sessions take approximately 60-90 minutes, and the final session takes approximately 30 minutes.
  • Parking vouchers are available to cover parking costs at STARS, or alternatively you can elect to be reimbursed for public transport costs.
  • Participation involves completing some questionnaires relating to pain intensity, your beliefs around pain and movement, and a measure of the level of your disability resulting from your back pain.
  • At each testing session, markers will be placed on your trunk to enable motion capture as you perform some standard movements (e.g. bending forwards, backwards, sideways, lifting and lowering a 4kg box).
  • The first session will also include a 1:1 pain education intervention, while the second session will include virtual reality gameplay where you will play three separate games (basketball hoops, ice curling, and ten-pin bowling).

What’s in it for me?

  • There will be no direct benefit to you from participating in this research. However, your participation will help to determine if virtual reality combined with pain education has a positive impact on pain, fear of movement, physical activity levels, and movement of the lower back, in individuals with persistent low back pain.
  • A $40 gift card will be provided to participants who complete all three sessions, to thank you for your time.

How can I volunteer or find out more?

People interested in participating or learning more about the study including location details can: