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NCT Number: NCT07309627

VR Therapy Effects in Lumbar Disc Herniation

This study aims to evaluate the effects of incorporating virtual reality (VR) therapy into routine physical therapy (RPT) on balance, pain, kinesiophobia, quality of life, and depression in individuals diagnosed with lumbar disc herniation (LDH).

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Key information

Conditions

Lumbar Disc Herniation Bone Diseases Hernia Intervertebral Disc Displacement Musculoskeletal Diseases Pathological Conditions, Anatomical Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Spinal Diseases

Age range

18 year–65 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Üsküdar Üniversitesi

Umraniye, Istanbul, 34000, Turkey (Türkiye)

About this study

Purpose:

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of adding virtual reality (VR) therapy to routine physical therapy (RPT) on balance, pain, kinesiophobia, quality of life, and depression in individuals with lumbar disc herniation (LDH).

Methods:

A total of 93 patients diagnosed with LDH will be randomly assigned into two groups: an intervention group (n=47) and a control group (n=46). Both groups will undergo a conventional physical therapy program consisting of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), vacuum interference, heat application, and ultrasound therapy. In addition to the conventional program, the intervention group will receive VR-based therapy.

Participants will be assessed at baseline and at the end of the intervention period using the following outcome measures: balance assessed by the Nintendo Balance Board-based Balance System; activities of daily living assessed by the Oswestry Disability Index; back pain intensity assessed by the Visual Analog Scale; kinesiophobia assessed by the Tampa Kinesiophobia Scale; quality of life assessed by the Short Form-36 questionnaire; and depression assessed by the Beck Depression Inventory.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

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

Inclusion criteria

  • Diagnosis of lumbar disc herniation (LDH)
  • Sedentary lifestyle
  • Presence of low back pain for at least 3 months
  • No participation in physiotherapy or structured rehabilitation programs within the previous 6 months

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion criteria

  • History of spinal surgery or spinal trauma
  • Presence of vestibular disorders
  • Presence of neurological diseases
  • Presence of cardiopulmonary diseases
  • Presence of other musculoskeletal disorders affecting participation
  • Pregnancy

Treatment and study plan

Conventional Physiotherapy

Other

TENS, superficial and deep heat therapy, and interferential current + strengthening, stretching, and postural correction exercises Three times per week for six weeks, each session lasting 40 minutes,

Other names: Virtual Reality

VR

Other

The Virtual Reality (VR) group : conventional treatment in combination with a VR application (Balance System Assessment System and Active Video Games), (consisting of six different games at three difficulty levels (beginner, intermediate, advanced).

Each game lasted for 2 minutes and was repeated twice. Over six weeks, both groups completed a total of 18 sessions (3 sessions per week)

Primary outcomes

  1. Oswestry Disability Index (ODI)

    Time frame: 8 weeks

    The ODI is a 10-item questionnaire developed to assess functional impairment in individuals with back pain. It evaluates changes in self-care, lifting, walking, sitting, standing, sleeping, social life, travel, and pain. Each item is scored from 0 to 5, with the total score ranging from 0 to 50. The total score is then multiplied by 2 and expressed as a percentage, with higher scores indicating greater disability

  2. SF-36 Quality of Life Scale

    Time frame: 8 weeks

    The SF-36 assesses quality of life across eight domains: physical functioning, bodily pain, general health perception, vitality, mental health, social functioning, and physical and emotional roles. Its validity and reliability in Turkey were established by Pınar et al.

  3. Tampa Kinesiophobia Scale (TSK)

    Time frame: 8 weeks

    The TSK is a 17-item self-report questionnaire using a 4-point Likert scale to assess fear of movement and/or reinjury. Total scores are calculated by reverse-scoring items 4, 8, 12, and 16, with possible scores ranging from 17 to 68. Scores of 37 or higher indicate a high level of kinesiophobia

  4. Beck Depression Inventory (BDI)

    Time frame: 8 weeks

    The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) is a 21-item self-report Likert-type scale used to determine the frequency of depressive symptoms. Items are scored from 0 to 3, and the scale's validity and reliability in Turkey were established by Ulusoy et al.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Uskudar University

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Effect of Virtual Reality-Based Rehabilitation on Balance, Pain, Kinesiophobia, Depression, and Quality of Life in Individuals With Lumbar Disc Herniation

Important dates

Study start
2023
Primary completion
2023
Study completion
2023
First posted
Dec 30, 2025
Registry last updated
Apr 13, 2026

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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