Virtual Reality in the Treatment of Adults with Chronic Low Back Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials

Beatriz Brea-Gómez, Irene Torres-Sánchez, Araceli Ortiz-Rubio, Andrés Calvache-Mateo, Irene Cabrera-Martos, Laura López-López and Marie Carmen Valenza
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Beatriz Brea-Gómez: Physical Therapy Department, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Granada, 18016 Granada, Spain
Irene Torres-Sánchez: Physical Therapy Department, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Granada, 18016 Granada, Spain
Araceli Ortiz-Rubio: Physical Therapy Department, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Granada, 18016 Granada, Spain
Andrés Calvache-Mateo: Physical Therapy Department, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Granada, 18016 Granada, Spain
Irene Cabrera-Martos: Physical Therapy Department, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Granada, 18016 Granada, Spain
Laura López-López: Physical Therapy Department, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Granada, 18016 Granada, Spain
Marie Carmen Valenza: Physical Therapy Department, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Granada, 18016 Granada, Spain

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 22, 1-32

Abstract: Virtual reality (VR) can present advantages in the treatment of chronic low back pain. The objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to analyze the effectiveness of VR in chronic low back pain. This review was designed according to PRISMA and registered in PROSPERO (CRD42020222129). Four databases (PubMed, Cinahl, Scopus, Web of Science) were searched up to August 2021. Inclusion criteria were defined following PICOS recommendations. Methodological quality was assessed with the Downs and Black scale and the risk of bias with the Cochrane Risk of Bias Assessment Tool. Fourteen studies were included in the systematic review and eleven in the meta-analysis. Significant differences were found in favor of VR compared to no VR in pain intensity postintervention (11 trials; n = 569; SMD = ?1.92; 95% CI = ?2.73, ?1.11; p < 0.00001) and followup (4 trials; n = 240; SDM = ?6.34; 95% CI = ?9.12, ?3.56; p < 0.00001); and kinesiophobia postintervention (3 trials; n = 192; MD = ?8.96; 95% CI = ?17.52, ?0.40; p = 0.04) and followup (2 trials; n = 149; MD = ?12.04; 95% CI = ?20.58, ?3.49; p = 0.006). No significant differences were found in disability. In conclusion, VR can significantly reduce pain intensity and kinesiophobia in patients with chronic low back pain after the intervention and at followup. However, high heterogeneity exists and can influence the consistency of the results.

Keywords: chronic low back pain; virtual reality; videogames; horse simulator riding; rehabilitation; physical therapy (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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