Using virtual reality to help rehabilitate shoulder injuries
Personalized Rehabilitation System Using Gamification With Virtual Reality Technology: A Feasibility Study
NA · La Tour Hospital · NCT06963983
This study tests whether using virtual reality can make shoulder rehabilitation more engaging and effective for people with shoulder injuries.
Quick facts
| Phase | NA |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 15 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | La Tour Hospital (other) |
| Locations | 1 site (Meyrin, Canton of Geneva) |
| Trial ID | NCT06963983 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This study explores the use of virtual reality (VR) technology to enhance rehabilitation for patients with shoulder pathologies such as instability, frozen shoulder, and rotator cuff tears. By integrating modern motion-tracking with VR, the study aims to improve patient engagement and compliance during rehabilitation exercises, which are often repetitive and can lead to decreased motivation. The goal is to determine if this innovative approach can lead to better functional outcomes compared to traditional rehabilitation methods.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates include adults with specific shoulder conditions such as glenohumeral instability, rotator cuff repairs, or frozen shoulder who are able to understand and consent to the study.
Not a fit: Patients with language barriers, those unlikely to attend follow-ups, or individuals with legal incompetence may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could significantly improve recovery outcomes and patient satisfaction in shoulder rehabilitation.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have shown benefits of VR in rehabilitation, particularly in post-stroke recovery, but this specific application for shoulder pathologies is relatively novel.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Adult patients able to understand the content of the patient information / consent form and give consent to take part in the research project * Glenohumeral instability surgical treated with traumatic initial instability in a \< 20 years old athlete, recurrent instability with one or more of the following criteria: a failure of conservative treatment, locked dislocation, failed prior surgery, high risk for further recurrence (i.e. collision or competitive athletes), Critical glenoid bone-loss (\>15-20%), bipolar bone-loss resulting in "off-track" lesion * Partial or complete rotator cuff repair with an indication to postoperative rehabilitation depending on surgeon recommendation * Idiopathic, primary, or secondary frozen shoulder Exclusion Criteria: * Patients with a language barrier hindering questionnaires completion * Patients unlikely to attend clinical follow-up (e.g. when living abroad) * Legal incompetence * Enrolment of the investigators, his/her family members, employees and other dependent persons * Non-motivated patients * Active infection * Exclusion criteria related to glenohumeral instability: uncontrolled epilepsy, spontaneous unidirectional instability in a hyperlax patient, multidirectional instability, elher-Danlos syndrome * Exclusion criteria related to rotator cuff tears: Additional procedure(s) (muscle transfer, patch,…) * Exclusion criteria related to VR use: Patients with a predisposition to motion sickness, Patients suffering from epilepsy or having any serious mental illness (schyzophrenia, neurological problems, etc.), Patients with visual impairment , Patients will intellectual disability that prevent them to understand how to use the VR rehabilitation system, Patients with bilateral upper limb injuries, as one side is needed as healthy reference
Where this trial is running
Meyrin, Canton of Geneva
- La Tour hospital — Meyrin, Canton of Geneva, Switzerland (RECRUITING)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Alexandre Lädermann, MD — La Tour hospital, Meyrin (1217) Geneva, Switzerland
- Study coordinator: Alexandre Lädermann, MD
- Email: alexandre.laedermann@gmail.com
- Phone: +41 22 719 75 55
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions: Shoulder Instability, Frozen Shoulder, Rotator Cuff Tears