Chronic Low Back Pain (CLBP) is a major health issue worldwide. Window and his team use Virtual Reality-based Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (VR-CBT) to stimulate movement through an engaging environment in individuals with CLBP.

Pain-related fear and activity avoidance are the most recognised barriers to recovery in people with CLBP. Addressing these barriers can be difficult. This project evaluated whether virtual reality interventions effectively decrease pain and fear of movement when combined with pain education. This could improve access to management approaches for CLBP, potentially reducing the need for professional supervision or a gym environment.

Patients used Virtual Reality-based Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (VR-CBT) in three sessions to target their fear and activity avoidance through graded exposure to standardised movements and tasks. Video footage was collected and played to participants, highlighting positive movement strategies.

The study found that, among the 37 eligible patients who participated, both pain and fear of movement reduced following the intervention. Specifically, 44% and 80% of them had a clinically meaningful reduction in pain and in fear of movement, respectively.

Total trunk movement did not change, however speed of trunk movement increased, which may reflect a reduction in guarding behaviour - a common behaviour of people with CLBP that aims at preventing or alleviating pain. These results have tremendous potential for providing value-based care and promoting self-management of CLBP.