Virtual reality could transform scoliosis therapy for teens

NCT ID NCT07794020

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Recruiting now
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Not yet recruiting This study
Registered, but not yet taking participants.
By invitation only
Not open to general applications. Only people the study team invites can take part.
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Paused for now. It may or may not start again.
Ongoing
Running, but no longer taking on new participants.
Completed
The trial has finished. Results may not be published yet.
Stopped early
Stopped early, before it reached the end. That can be for many reasons, including safety.
Cancelled
Cancelled before anyone took part.

Expanded access (not trials)

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Not a trial. This treatment can be requested outside a study, case by case, for people who qualify.
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Expanded access (ended)
Not a trial. The treatment could once be requested outside a study, but no longer can.
Approved
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When the status isn't known

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First seen Aug 31, 2026 · Last updated Sep 01, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This trial tests whether adding virtual reality to Schroth exercises, a standard physiotherapy for scoliosis, improves trunk movement and quality of life in adolescents with moderate curves. Researchers will compare traditional supervised Schroth exercises with two VR-enhanced versions: one using a high-end Meta Quest 2 headset and another using a low-cost Google Cardboard viewer. Participants, aged 10 to 19 with a Cobb angle between 20 and 35 degrees, will attend sessions twice a week for 12 weeks. The study measures trunk rotation, tilt, and flexibility using wearable sensors, along with quality-of-life questionnaires.

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-based Schroth exercise (using Meta Quest 2 or Google Cardboard) compared with traditional supervised Schroth exercise
What this could lead to
If VR-based Schroth exercises work as well as or better than traditional ones, teens with scoliosis might have a more engaging way to improve posture and quality of life.
What could go wrong
This is a small, early-stage trial with 54 participants, so results may not apply to everyone. VR may cause dizziness or discomfort, and the benefit over traditional exercise is not yet proven.

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

Study facts

What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.

Phase

Not a phased trial

Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.

Participants

About 54 people

The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.

Expected to start

Sep 2026

An estimate. Start dates often move.

Expected to finish

Feb 2027

An estimate. End dates often move.

Lead sponsor

Other sponsor

The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.

Who can take part

This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.

Ages

10 to 19 years

Sex

Anyone

Healthy volunteers

Not accepted

This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.

Show the full entry requirements

Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.

Inclusion Criteria: * Age: 10-19 years. * Diagnosed adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) confirmed by spinal radiography . * Cobb angle between 20° and 35° (moderate curve, below surgical threshold). * No prior spinal surgery. * Ability to perform Schroth exercises independently. * Ability to use a virtual reality headset. * No prior virtual reality experience. * Free from pain or pain less than 8 on visual analogue scale. * Type of curve (thoracolumbar s scoliosis). Exclusion Criteria: * Secondary scoliosis (neuromuscular or post-surgical scoliosis). * Severe structural deformity (Cobb angle \>50° or severe vertebral rotation). * Neurological or neuromuscular disorders affecting balance or proprioception. * Active orthopedic injury or recent surgery (\<2 years) involving the spine or lower extremities. * Severe cardiopulmonary disease contraindicating exercise. * Uncontrolled pain (Visual Analog Scale \>8). * Current participation in another structured spinal rehabilitation program or participation within the last 6 months. * History of severe cybersickness or prior intolerance to virtual reality exposure. * Vision or hearing impairment preventing interaction with virtual reality--based games

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

As listed by the trial registrant

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

How to take part

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Contacts and locations

Locations

  • Cairo university

    Cairo, Egypt

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