Using virtual reality to enhance acupuncture treatment for chronic low back pain
Official title: Developing a virtual reality guided acupuncture imagery treatment for Chronic low back pain
Funded at Massachusetts Neuro Technology, INC. · NIH-10976167 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is exploring a new way to help people with chronic low back pain by using virtual reality to create an acupuncture experience in their minds, which might help those who haven't found relief with regular treatments.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts Neuro Technology, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Weston, United States) |
| Project start | September 19, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $183,153 |
| NIH project number | 3R41AT011822-01A1S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10976167 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals experiencing chronic low back pain who have not found relief from conventional treatments.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with acute low back pain or those who do not respond to any form of pain management may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates a novel treatment for chronic low back pain (cLBP) by combining virtual reality with acupuncture imagery. Patients will engage in guided imagery sessions that simulate acupuncture experiences, aiming to activate similar brain pathways as actual acupuncture. The approach is based on the idea that imagining acupuncture can provide therapeutic benefits, potentially offering relief to those who do not respond well to traditional treatments. The study will assess the effectiveness of this 2-dimensional video-guided acupuncture imagery treatment (2D-VGAIT) over a series of sessions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a new, non-invasive treatment option for patients suffering from chronic low back pain.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown promising results with similar approaches, indicating that visualization techniques can produce effects comparable to actual acupuncture.
Where this research is happening
-
Massachusetts Neuro Technology, INC.
Weston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kong, Jian — Massachusetts Neuro Technology, INC.
- Study coordinator: Kong, Jian
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.