Virtual reality treatment for chronic low back pain
A Feasibility Study of Virtual Reality Guided Acupuncture Imagery Treatment for Chronic Low Back Pain
This study is testing a new virtual reality treatment for people with chronic low back pain to see if it helps reduce their pain and improve their quality of life.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 30 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 75 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Massachusetts General Hospital Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Charlestown, Massachusetts) |
| Trial ID | NCT06814470 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This study aims to develop a Virtual Reality guided acupuncture imagery treatment system specifically designed for individuals suffering from chronic low back pain. Participants will receive either the active VR-guided treatment or a control version to assess the effectiveness of this innovative approach. The study seeks to provide a cost-effective alternative for managing chronic pain conditions, potentially improving patient outcomes and quality of life. The methodology includes evaluating pain intensity and patient satisfaction through standardized assessments.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults aged 18-75 with chronic low back pain lasting more than six months and a pain intensity of at least 4 out of 10.
Not a fit: Patients with specific causes of back pain, complicated back problems, or contraindications for acupuncture may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this treatment could offer a new, effective option for managing chronic low back pain.
How similar studies have performed: While the use of virtual reality in pain management is emerging, this specific approach combining VR with acupuncture imagery is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested in prior studies.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Volunteers 18-75 years of age. * Meet the Classification Criteria of chronic LBP (having low back pain for more than 6 months), as determined by the referring physician. * At least 4/10 clinical pain on the 11-point LBP intensity scale. * Must have had a prior evaluation of their low back pain by a health care provider, which may have included radiographic studies. Documentation of this evaluation will be sought from Partners or outside medical records and kept in the subject's research record. * At least a 10th grade English-reading level; English can be a second language provided that the patients feel they understand all the questions used in the assessment measures. Exclusion Criteria: * Specific causes of back pain (e.g. cancer, fractures, infections), * Complicated back problems (e.g. prior back surgery, medico legal issues), * Possible contraindications for acupuncture (e.g. coagulation disorders, cardiac pacemakers, pregnancy, seizure disorder), and conditions that might confound longitudinal effects or interpretation of results (e.g. severe fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis). * Conditions making study participation difficult (eg, paralysis, psychoses, or other severe psychological problems as per the judgment of a study investigator during Session 1) * The intent to undergo surgery during the time of involvement in the study. * Unresolved medical legal/disability/workers compensation claims in connection with low back pain. * Lacking the capacity to consent for oneself * Do not have access to zoom or other software regularly to complete the study.
Where this trial is running
Charlestown, Massachusetts
- Lucy Chen — Charlestown, Massachusetts, United States (Recruiting)
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.