Gaming away the pain: VR exercises tested for chronic back pain relief
NCT ID NCT07172828
First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 26, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study compares virtual reality-based exercises to standard physical therapy for people with chronic low back pain. About 48 adults aged 18-65 will do either VR games or conventional exercises for 8 weeks. Researchers will measure changes in muscle thickness, balance, pain, and satisfaction to see if VR makes rehab more effective and enjoyable.
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 rehabilitation
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could offer a more engaging and effective way to manage chronic low back pain, potentially improving adherence and daily function.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early-stage trial (48 participants) comparing two exercise programs, so results may not apply broadly. VR may cause discomfort or not outperform standard exercises.
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
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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
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About 48 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Expected to start
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Oct 2025
An estimate. Start dates often move.
- Expected to finish
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Dec 2026
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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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
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18 to 65 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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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 Hide 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 18-65 years. * Chronic low back pain persisting for ≥ 3 months. * Literacy and Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) score \> 21. * Voluntary participation with signed informed consent. Exclusion Criteria: * Malignancy. * Pregnancy. * History of epilepsy (including photosensitive seizures), dementia, migraine, or other neurological disorders limiting VR use. * Surgery within the past 6 months. * Received physiotherapy or rehabilitation services in the past 6 months. * Presence of acute infection. * Unhealed fracture. * Withdrawal of informed consent at any stage of the study.
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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
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The places running it
1 site. The list below names each one and where it is.
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The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
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A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Hacettepe University
Ankara, 06200, Turkey (Türkiye)
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