Effects of Virtual Reality versus Exercise on Pain, Functional, Somatosensory and Psychosocial Outcomes in Patients with Non-specific Chronic Neck Pain: A Randomized Clinical Trial

David Morales Tejera, Hector Beltran-Alacreu, Roberto Cano- de-la-Cuerda, Jose Vicente Leon Hernández, Aitor Martín-Pintado-Zugasti, César Calvo-Lobo, Alfonso Gil-Martínez and Josué Fernández-Carnero
Additional contact information
David Morales Tejera: Escuela Internacional de Doctorado, Department of Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Rehabilitation and Physical Medicine, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, 28032 Alcorcón, Spain
Hector Beltran-Alacreu: Departamento de Fisioterapia, Centro Superior de Estudios Universitarios La Salle, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, 28043 Madrid, Spain
Roberto Cano- de-la-Cuerda: Department of Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Rehabilitation and Physical Medicine. Rey Juan Carlos University, 28922 Madrid, Spain
Jose Vicente Leon Hernández: Departamento de Fisioterapia, Centro Superior de Estudios Universitarios La Salle, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, 28043 Madrid, Spain
Aitor Martín-Pintado-Zugasti: Departamento de Fisioterapia, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad San Pablo-CEU, CEU Universities, Madrid 28008, Spain
César Calvo-Lobo: Facultad de Enfermería, Fisioterapia y Podología, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
Alfonso Gil-Martínez: CranioSpain Research Group, Centro Superior de Estudios Universitarios La Salle, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, 28043 Madrid, Spain
Josué Fernández-Carnero: CranioSpain Research Group, Centro Superior de Estudios Universitarios La Salle, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, 28043 Madrid, Spain

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 16, 1-19

Abstract: Background : Virtual reality (VR) applied to patients with neck pain is a promising intervention to produce positive effects when used alone or combined with exercise. Therefore, the objective of this manuscript is to compare the effects of VR versus exercise treatment on pain intensity, conditioned pain modulation (CPM), temporal summation (TS) and functional and somatosensory outcomes in patients with non-specific chronic neck pain (NS-CNP). Methods : A single-blinded, randomized clinical trial was carried out. A total sample of 44 patients with NS-CNP was randomized into a VR treatment group or neck exercises group. The intervention consisted of two treatment sessions per week, for four weeks and eight sessions. Four measurement moments (at baseline, immediately, 1 month, and 3 months after intervention) were considered. Pain intensity, CPM, TS, functional and somatosensory outcomes were measured. Results : Statistically significant differences were revealed for time factor (F = 16.40, p < 0.01, ? p 2 = 0.28) and group*time interaction for kinesiophobia (F = 3.89, p = 0.01, ? p 2 = 0.08) showing post-hoc differences in favor of the VR group at 3 months ( p < 0.05, d = 0.65). Significant effects were shown for time factor ( p < 0.05) but not for the group*time interaction ( p > 0.05) for pain intensity, rotation range of motion (ROM), Neck Disability Index, pain catastrophizing, fear-avoidance beliefs, left side pressure pain threshold (PPT) and anxiety. Statistically significant differences were not found for time factor ( p > 0.05) and neither in group*time interaction ( p > 0.05) for CPM, TS, right side PPT, flexo-extension and lateral-flexion ROM. Conclusions : Kinesiophobia was the only outcome that showed differences between VR and exercise at 3 months. Nevertheless, pain intensity, CPM, TS, ROM, neck disability, pain catastrophizing, fear-avoidance beliefs, PPT and anxiety did not show differences between both interventions.

Keywords: exercise; neck pain; chronic pain; virtual reality; virtual reality exposure therapy (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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