Virtual Reality Based High-intensity Interval Training in Chronic Low Back Pain

Effects of Virtual Reality Based High-intensity Interval Training in Chronic Low Back Pain

One of the most prevalent causes of pain on a global scale is chronic musculoskeletal pain. Low back pain is a prevalent manifestation of chronic musculoskeletal pain.

There are a wide vary of no pharmacologic treatment for chronic pain. From a physiotherapy perspective, the chronic pain management should be oriented towards increasing the self-management of people with chronic pain. The management components in question are therapeutic exercise and education.

High-intensity interval training (HIIT) is a novel therapeutic exercise strategy that has been shown to reduce pain and disability in chronic low back pain. It is a hopeful strategy to enhance motivation to treatment. Pain neuroscience education (PNE) has also been demonstrated to enhance pain and disability in chronic low back pain. Finally, virtual reality (VR) has been demonstrated to be effective in the chronic low back pain management.

Despite the benefits mentioned in these three therapies being isolated, there are no studies that have compared VR-based HIIT (VR-HIIT) with PNE in chronic low back pain. The use of these interventions may increase the intervention benefits. The investigators hypothesise that VR-HIIT with PNE can reduce pain intensity, enhance fear of movement and improve motivation for treatment in chronic low back pain. Therefore, the aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of VR-HIIT with PNE in chronic low back pain.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Adults 18-65 years
• Chronic low back pain
• Pain intensity ≥ 3 points with the numeric pain rating scale
• Ability to walk ≥ 15 minutes
• Wish to participate in the study and sign the informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• Pregnancy
• Patients with severe comorbidities that interfere with the ability to perform the study
• People who are currently participating in another study