JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Low back pain is a common health problem globally, while based on the duration of the pain it is classified acute, sub-acute and chronic. Different treatment strategies are available to reduce the chronic low back pain. Virtual reality (VR) is relativity a novel approach in back pain rehabilitation.

Objective:

The objective of this study was to compare effects of virtual reality games on chronic low back pain

Methods:

This quasi-experimental study was conducted on 40 chronic low back pain. The data was collected using non probability convenient sampling technique and patients visiting department of Physiotherapy, Government Services Hospital Lahore were recruited and equally divided into four groups. All groups were given moist heat therapy, transcutaneous electrical never stimulation and virtual reality exercise (VRE). Back strengthening exercise were also given to all group except group C. The group A received reflex ridge game, group B body ball game, group C (without back strengthening exercises) reflex ridge game combining with body ball game and group D combining reflex ridge game with body ball. The participants received eight treatment sessions with 3 sessions in a week. The outcomes were pain intensity, functional disability and lumber range of motion measured pretest and post only. Repeated measurement analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used for inter group and intra group comparison at P-value ≤ 0.05 (95% CI).

Results:

The study comprised of a sample of 40 low back patients, where 12 (40%) females and 28 (60%) males with mean age 37.85+ 12.15 years of age. The pre and posttest mean pain score in group A, B, C and D was 7.60±1.84 and 4.20±1.62, 6.60±1.776 and 5.90±1.73, 6.60±1.776 and 5.90 ±1.73, 6.90±1.73 and 5.40±1.07 and 7.10±1.53 and 3.60±.97 respectively. The mean difference of group D (combining reflex ridge game with body ball) compared to A was -.60, B was -2.30 and C -1.80 with P=.76, P=.00 and P=.03 respectively. The forward flexion mean difference group D was 3.80, 4.80, and 7.40 respectively with group A, B and C with p –value 0.21, 0.7 and 0.00. The right lateral lumber flexion group mean difference of D was 2.80, 3, 90, 5.20 with group A, B and C respectively with P value 0.04, 0.00 and 0.00 respectively. The left lateral lumber flexion 2.80, 2.20 and 4.80 with P value of 0.00, 0.2 and 0.00 lumber extension 1.90, 2.80 and 4.80 with P-value 0.20, 0.00 and 0.00 respectively with group A, B and C.

Conclusions:

Virtual reality exercises had statistically significant effects in improving pain, functional disability and range of motion in all groups but combination of reflex ridge and body ball with back strengthening exercise has dominant effects than other groups.