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Completed

NCT Number: NCT04415177

Virtual Reality Trial Using EaseVRx For Chronic Low Back Pain

Randomized, 2-arm parallel group clinical trial evaluating the effectiveness of a self-administered Virtual Reality program for the treatment of chronic lower back pain compared to a placebo VR program.

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Key information

Conditions

Chronic Lower Back Pain Agnosia Nervous System Diseases Neurobehavioral Manifestations Neurologic Manifestations Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Perceptual Disorders Signs and Symptoms

Age range

18 year–85 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

AppliedVR, Inc.

Los Angeles, California, 90067, United States

About this study

A randomized, 2-arm parallel-group clinical trial evaluating the effectiveness of a self-administered Virtual Reality (VR) program for the treatment of chronic lower back pain. The primary objective of this study is to assess the impact of skills-based VR on changes in patient-reported pain and pain interference over the course of an 8-week intervention as well as compared to a placebo VR condition. The secondary objective is to assess the impact of skill-based VR on changes in patient-reported satisfaction over the course of an 8-week intervention and compared to a placebo VR condition. A tertiary objective is to assess the impact of skills-based VR on changes in patient-reported opioid use, physical function, behavioral skills development, and health outcomes immediately following the intervention relative to a pre-intervention baseline and compared to a placebo VR condition. An exploratory objective is to assess the impact of skills-based VR on changes in patient-reported pain levels, opioid use, physical function, behavioral skills development, health outcomes, and satisfaction at the 24-week post-intervention time point and compared to a placebo VR condition.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Men and women 18-85 years old
  • Diagnosis of low back pain without radicular symptoms
  • Pain duration of at least 6 months
  • Average pain intensity of at least 4 on the 0-10 DoD/VA Pain Scale for the past month at screening
  • English fluency
  • Willing to comply with study procedures/restrictions

Exclusion criteria

  • Unable to understand the goals of the study due to cognitive difficulty
  • Current or prior diagnosis of epilepsy, seizure disorder, dementia, migraines or other neurological disease that may prevent the use of VR
  • Medical condition predisposing to nausea or dizziness
  • Hypersensitivity to flashing light or motion
  • No stereoscopic vision or severe hearing impairment
  • Injury to eyes, face or neck that prevents comfortable use of VR
  • Pain related to cancer
  • Active suicidal ideation or severe depression
  • Previous use of EaseVR for pain
  • Current participation in any interventional research study or completed participation in past 2 months
  • Currently pregnant or planning to become pregnant
  • Does not have access to WIFI during participation in study
  • Currently works at or has an immediate family member who works for a digital health company or pharmaceutical company that provides treatments for acute or chronic pain

Treatment and study plan

EaseVRx headset with active intervention

Device

VR software developed by AppliedVR informed by evidence-based cognitive behavioral therapy principles, biofeedback and mindfulness strategies for pain management.

EaseVRx headset without active intervention

Device

VR software developed by AppliedVR with neutral non-interactive content.

Primary outcomes

  1. Department of Defense (DoD)/VA Pain scale

    Time frame: The primary efficacy endpoint is the change from study baseline to Day 56

    DoD/VA Pain scale measures pain intensity, and inference around activity, sleep, mood, and stress, each on an 11-point scale. The max score is 50 and the minimum is 0. The higher the score the worse the outcome. This will be assessed twice weekly during the 8-week intervention intervention period.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Patient's Global Impression of Change Scale

    Time frame: twice weekly during 8-week intervention, Day 56

    Single item Patient's Global Impression of Change Scale (PGIC), self-reported the level of change (if any) in activity limitations, symptoms, emotions, and overall quality of life-related to your painful condition on a 7-point scale. The higher the number the better the outcome.

Other outcomes

  1. Device utilization Questionnaire

    Time frame: twice weekly during 8-week intervention, Day 56

    Self-reported number of VR sessions completed since the participant last reported. The scale is 0-4 or more. The higher than number the higher the usage.

  2. VR Satisfaction Scale

    Time frame: Day 56

    Satisfaction ratings regarding the ability of the VR program to relieve pain symptoms on a 5-point scale. One is defined as strongly disagree with the statement and five is defined as strongly agree. The higher the number the better the outcome.

  3. Custom Opioid Use Survey

    Time frame: Baseline, Day 56

    Custom survey assesses the use of opioids, frequency of use, dose of medication, happiness with regimen, and interest in change in treatment.

  4. Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Physical Function

    Time frame: Baseline, Day 56

    This 6-item PROMIS physical function measure assesses physical function such as (chores, running errands) on a 5-point scale. The max score is 30 and the minimum is 6. The higher the score the better the outcome.

  5. Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Sleep Disturbance

    Time frame: Baseline, Day 56

    6-item PROMIS sleep disturbance measure assesses the level of sleep disturbance on a 5-point scale. The max score is 30 and the minimum is 6. The higher the score the worse the outcome.

  6. Pain Self-efficacy Questionnaire

    Time frame: Baseline, Day 56

    2-item PSEQ (PSEQ-2) assesses pain self-efficacy on a 7-point scale. The max score is 12 and the minimum is 0. The higher the score the better the outcome.

  7. Pain Catastrophizing Scale

    Time frame: Baseline, Day 56

    4 items from the Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS) assesses frequency of pain-related thoughts and feelings on a 5-point scale. The max score is 16 and the minimum is 0. The higher the score the worse the outcome.

  8. Chronic Pain Acceptance Questionnaire

    Time frame: Baseline, Day 56

    8-item Chronic Pain Acceptance (CPAQ-8) questionnaire assesses acceptance or psychological flexibility associated with chronic pain on a 7-point scale. The max score is 56 and the minimum is 8. The higher the score the better the outcome.

  9. Behavioral Skills Assessment

    Time frame: Day 56

    Custom survey assesses the development of skills to manage pain outside of the VR headset. This is only included in the EaseVRx condition. There are 4 knowledge questions. These are on a 1-5 scale from do not agree to completely agree. The skills questions are on a 0 to 10 scale with 0 being not at all confident and 10 being very confident.

  10. Health Utilization Outcomes Questionnaire

    Time frame: Day 56

    Questionnaire on the frequency of steroid injections, lower back surgery, emergency department visits, hospital admissions, and unplanned physician visits over various time periods. The first part of each of these questions asks if they have had the service and then the second part asks for the frequency.

  11. VR Use Data

    Time frame: Day 1 through Day 56

    VR use calculated as the total number of sessions launched. It will be continuous data stored on the headset.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

AppliedVR Inc.

Industry

Registry information

Official study title

Safety and Effectiveness of Virtual Reality Utilizing EaseVRx for the Reduction of Chronic Pain and Opioid Use

Important dates

Study start
2020
Primary completion
2021
Study completion
2021
First posted
Jun 4, 2020
Registry last updated
Jan 11, 2022

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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