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Virtual reality is effective in the management of chronic low back ache in adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

  • Review Article
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European Spine Journal Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Background

Chronic low back ache (CLBA) is a common condition that is conventionally managed with physical therapy and analgesics. Recently, virtual reality-based interventions have been tried out in the management of CLBA. Their effectiveness, however has not been established. This meta-analysis aims to find out if the application of VR will lead to better pain relief, as compared to conventional techniques in adults with CLBA.

Methods

The literature search was carried out in three online databases for potential randomized controlled trials that compared VR-based interventions with conventional treatment in CLBA. Data on outcome parameters were recorded. Meta-analysis was carried out with the help of appropriate software.

Results

Seven studies having data on 507 subjects were included in the meta-analysis. Their mean ages were 48.4 years. There were 252 subjects in the VR group and 255 in the control group. VR-based interventions were found to have a statistically significant improvement in the pain intensity compared with conventional techniques (p − 0.005).

Conclusion

VR-based interventions are effective in the management of CLBA in the short term. Further research with longer follow-up is required to evaluate if these improvements are persistent in the long term.

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Funding

This research article did not receive funding from any external source.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthopaedics, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India

    Vishal Kumar, Mohak Kataria, Sarvdeep Singh Dhatt & Vishnu Baburaj

  2. Queens Medical Center, Nottingham, UK

    Arvind Janardhan Vatkar

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  1. Vishal Kumar
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  2. Arvind Janardhan Vatkar
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  3. Mohak Kataria
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  4. Sarvdeep Singh Dhatt
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  5. Vishnu Baburaj
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Correspondence to Vishnu Baburaj.

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Kumar, V., Vatkar, A.J., Kataria, M. et al. Virtual reality is effective in the management of chronic low back ache in adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Eur Spine J 33, 474–480 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00586-023-08040-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00586-023-08040-5

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