Virtual reality acupuncture: a Needle-Free pain relief for backs?

NCT ID NCT06814470

Completed Symptom relief Sponsor: Massachusetts General Hospital Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This study tested whether watching a virtual reality (VR) video of acupuncture needles being applied could help people with chronic low back pain. 31 adults with pain lasting over 6 months participated. The goal was to see if people would stick with the treatment and find it satisfying, not yet to prove it reduces pain.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: Virtual reality guided imagery acupuncture treatment (VRGAIT)
What this could lead to: If it works, this could offer a drug-free, non-invasive way to help manage chronic low back pain at home.
What could go wrong: This is a very small, early feasibility study with only 31 people. It was not designed to prove the treatment works, only to see if people would try it and find it acceptable. The effect on pain is not yet known.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

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As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

CHRONIC LOW-BACK PAIN

Contacts and locations

Locations

Lucy Chen

Charlestown, Massachusetts, 02129, United States

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