Comparing VR-Based Exercises and Routine Physical Therapy Effects on Pain, Kinesiophobia, and Functional Abilities in Non-Specific Chronic Low Back Pain Patients "A Randomized Clinical Trial"

Why clinicians should know about it

• Picked for Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine (top studies of the week, 27 September 2026): Phase III RCT, practice-changing for chronic low back pain

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To compare the effects of Virtual Reality (VR)-based exercises and routine physical therapy on pain, kinesiophobia, and functional abilities in patients with Non-Specific Chronic Low Back Pain (NSCLBP). METHODS: Twenty-eight participants aged 20 to 55 were included and randomly assigned to two groups, ensuring single blinding. Both groups received routine physical therapy, which included transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), ultrasound therapy, and infrared light, along with identical exercise programs. The intervention group also engaged in additional exercises using VR technology. Participants had been experiencing NSCLBP for three months or longer. RESULTS: The intervention group showed significant improvements in pain (P=0.001), disability index, quality of life (QoL) (P=0.004), range of motion (ROM) in flexion and extension (P=0,008, P=0.002), and both left and right sided balance (P=0.001, P=0.013) compared to the control group. However, no significant differences were observed in the Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia (P=0.148) and strength in flexion and extension (P=0.370, P=0.09). CONCLUSION: VR-based therapeutic exercises significantly improved pain, disability, quality of life, and balance in NSCLBP patients compared to routine physical therapy interventions. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: I.

Abstract as published, via PubMed.