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CompletedNCT06750900CLEVER BODYUpdated Feb 11, 2025

Visual Feedback Manipulation in Virtual Reality Alters Extension-evoked Pain Perception in Chronic LBP

An observational study in Chronic Low-back Pain (cLBP), sponsored by Cardenal Herrera University. Completed at 1 site in Spain. Open to participants aged 18 Years to 65 Years. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2025-02-11.

Sponsored by Cardenal Herrera University · Observational

Study type
Observational
Model
Cohort
Time perspective
Cross-sectional
Enrollment
50
Ages
18 Years to 65 Years
Sex
All
01

Study summary

This study investigates the potential to modify movement-evoked pain in individuals with chronic low back pain (LBP) by manipulating visual proprioceptive feedback through virtual reality (VR). Fifty patients with non-specific chronic LBP are planned to participate. Participants perform lumbar spine extension until pain onset under three conditions: accurate visual feedback (control), feedback showing 10% less movement (E-), and feedback showing 10% more movement (E+). Lumbar range of motion (ROM) is measured using a 3-space Fastrack motion analysis system. The study also explores whether individuals with higher pain levels, kinesiophobia, disability, or catastrophising are more susceptible to VR feedback manipulation. Pain thresholds, pain intensity, kinesiophobia, disability, and catastrophising levels are assessed.

Read the detailed description

This study explores the potential to influence movement-evoked pain in individuals with chronic low back pain (LBP) by altering visual proprioceptive feedback using virtual reality (VR). The researchers aim to understand whether manipulating visual feedback can change pain perception and movement behavior. A total of 50 patients with non-specific chronic LBP are expected to participate.

Participants will perform lumbar spine extension movements until the point of pain onset under three experimental conditions: (1) without virtual reality (control); (2) underestimated movement feedback (E-), where the VR shows 10% less movement than performed; and (3) overestimated movement feedback (E+), where the VR depicts 10% more movement than performed. These manipulations aim to investigate how changes in perceived movement affect pain perception and range of motion.

The lumbar range of motion (ROM) is objectively measured using a 3-space Fastrack motion analysis system to ensure precise tracking of physical movements. Additionally, the study examines whether psychological factors, such as pain intensity, kinesiophobia (fear of movement), disability, and catastrophising (exaggerated negative mental set about pain), influence susceptibility to VR feedback manipulation.

To provide a comprehensive assessment, participants' pain thresholds, pain intensity levels, kinesiophobia, disability, and catastrophising tendencies are measured through validated tools. By combining physical and psychological evaluations, the study aims to identify potential subgroups of patients who might benefit most from VR-based interventions and shed light on the mechanisms through which visual feedback alters pain perception and movement behavior in chronic LB

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Conditions studied

  • Chronic Low-back Pain (cLBP)

Keywords

  • chronic low back pain
  • virtual reality
  • ilusions
  • movement-evoked pain
  • visual-proprioceptive feedback
03

In context

Back Pain

2,373 studies on the registry are indexed under Back Pain; 284 are open to participants now.

This study's enrollment of 50 is below the median of 100 across 357 observational studies indexed under Back Pain.

Browse Back Pain studies →

Lead sponsor

Cardenal Herrera University is the lead sponsor of 104 studies on the registry; 23 are open to participants now.

Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.

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Who can participate

Ages eligible
18 Years to 65 Years
Sexes eligible
All
Accepts healthy volunteers
No
Sampling method
Probability sample

Study population

chronic low back pain

Inclusion criteria

  • Participants of both sexes.
  • Aged between 18 and 65 years.
  • Diagnosed with non-specific chronic low back pain (according to the European COST B13 guidelines).
  • Presence of lumbar extension limitation.

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Diagnosis of a spinal tumor.
  • Presence of a spinal infection or fracture.
  • Diagnosed systemic diseases.
  • Diagnosis of fibromyalgia.
  • Presence of cauda equina syndrome.
  • History of prior spinal surgery.
  • Musculoskeletal injuries of the lower extremities (including: sciatica; radiating pain in the lower extremities; symptoms of numbness or weakness in the lower extremities)
05

Study design

Observational model
Cohort
Time perspective
Cross-sectional
Enrollment
50 participants (actual)
Patient registry
No

Groups and cohorts

  • NORMAL CONDITION

    The normal condition is measured as a lumbar extension without VR until the onset of pain.

    Other: NORMAL CONDITION

  • UNDERSTATED CONDITION

    It involves an illusion with virtual reality where the patients perform a lumbar extension until the onset of pain and the feel a 10% less movement in the VR (understated visual feedback)

    Other: UNDERSTATED CONDITION

  • OVERSTATED CONDITION

    It involves an illusion with virtual reality where the patients perform a lumbar extension until the onset of pain and the feel a 10% more movement in the VR (understated visual feedback)

    Other: OVERSTATED CONDITION

Interventions

  • OtherNORMAL CONDITION

    They perform 3 lumbar extensions until the onset of pain without virtual reality

  • OtherUNDERSTATED CONDITION

    They perform 3 lumbar extensions until the onset of pain using the virtual reality. In this condition, they feel that they are moving a 10%less than they are really moving.

  • OtherOVERSTATED CONDITION

    They perform 3 lumbar extensions until the onset of pain using the virtual reality. In this condition, they feel that they are moving a 10% more than they are really moving.

06

What researchers measure

Primary outcomes

  1. MOVEMENT EVOKED PAIN THRESHOLD

    The maximum lumbar range of movement without pain was measured in each condition using a 3-Space Fastrack motion analysis system.

    Time frame: Baseline (pre-intervention) and immediately post-intervention (at 50 minutes).

  2. Pain Intensity

    The pain intensity perceived by participants is measured using the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS-11)

    Time frame: Baseline (pre-intervention) and immediately post-intervention (at 50 minutes).

Secondary outcomes

  1. Fear of movement

    The investigators will use the reliable and validated Spanish version of the Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia (TSK), which consists of 11 independent phrases rated on a 4-point scale (1 = totally disagree to 4 = totally agree). Higher scores indicate higher levels of fear of movement.

    Time frame: Baseline (pre-intervention) and immediately post-intervention (at 50 minutes).

  2. Catastrophizing

    The validated Spanish version of the Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS) will be applied, which has demonstrated internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and sensitivity to change. The PCS comprises 13 items rated on a 5-point scale from 0 (never) to 4 (always) that measure 3 components of catastrophising: rumination, magnification, and helplessness. Higher scores indicate greater pain-related catastrophising.

    Time frame: Baseline (pre-intervention) and immediately post-intervention (at 50 minutes).

  3. Disability

    The degree of disability is measured using the validated and reliable Spanish version of the Roland-Morris Questionnaire (RMQ), which consists of 24 items whose scores range from 0 (no disability) to 24 (maximum disability)

    Time frame: Baseline (pre-intervention) and immediately post-intervention (at 50 minutes).

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Study locations

1 site
  • Arnau de Vilanova Hospital
    Valencia, 46015, Spain
08

References and documents

Publications

  • Harvie DS, Broecker M, Smith RT, Meulders A, Madden VJ, Moseley GL. Bogus visual feedback alters onset of movement-evoked pain in people with neck pain. Psychol Sci. 2015 Apr;26(4):385-92. doi: 10.1177/0956797614563339. Epub 2015 Feb 17. PubMed 25691362 ↗

Individual participant data

Plan to share: Yes

09

Updates

Tracking since Sep 25, 2026
No changes since tracking began. The registry record was last updated on Feb 11, 2025, before this site started recording changes on Sep 25, 2026. Its history is on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
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Registry details

Key details

Study ID
NCT06750900
Lead sponsor
Cardenal Herrera University
Responsible party
Juan F. Lisón Párraga, Dr (Chair Profesor, Cardenal Herrera University) — Principal investigator
First posted
Dec 27, 2024
Start date
Dec 4, 2024
Primary completion
Dec 18, 2024
Completion
Jan 7, 2025
Last update
Feb 11, 2025

Oversight

Data monitoring committee
Yes
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
View the source record on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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This study is completed, as verified in Feb 2025. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.

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