Feasibility Study on an Immersive Virtual Reality Tool in the Treatment of Chronic Low Back Pain

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Thomas JS et al evaluated the benefits of a game of virtual reality baseball on improving lumbar flexion in a randomized study (virtual reality versus control). After 3 virtual reality sessions, the 2 groups were compared, there was no difference in the improvement in lumbar flexion or in the improv...

Thomas JS et al evaluated the benefits of a game of virtual reality baseball on improving lumbar flexion in a randomized study (virtual reality versus control). After 3 virtual reality sessions, the 2 groups were compared, there was no difference in the improvement in lumbar flexion or in the improvement in pain, probably due to the low number of sessions offered (only 3 ). Nevertheless, the harmlessness, feasibility and safety of the game were proven here. In addition, the perception of the game was positive by the participants and there was no aggravation of pain or side effects of virtual reality. On a larger scale and more recently, France CR and Thomas JS have shown in a randomized study of 230 patients the value of an immersive virtual reality game based on the progression of lumbar flexion compared to another game that does not improve this parameter. This was a virtual reality-based rehabilitation program, carried out over 18 weeks with 3 then 2 then 1 session (s) per week; the primary endpoint was assessment of pain and disability one week after the program. There was a sharper decrease in pain and disability with play that specifically worked lumbar flexion. The progression of lumbar flexion was correlated with the decrease in pain and disability. The authors thus showed that an immersive virtual reality game combining: a way to distract the patient's attention, a target to be reached, and a progression of the lumbar flexion exercise in the game would improve pain and pain. handicap of chronic low back pain. Virtual reality is a distraction technique, which combines visual and auditory, allowing immersion in a virtual world through a headset that transcribes a three-dimensional image. The diversion of attention by the use of virtual reality allows the patient to immerse himself in a fictitious environment thanks to a mask on the eyes that inhibits the vision of the outside world and a hearing headset reducing external sounds and reinforcing the mechanism of 'immersion. Our hypothesis is that the use of an immersive virtual reality tool would improve the rehabilitation care and the future of chronic low back pain patients, via this immersion capacity.

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