NCT06611566

Brief Summary

In this study we assessed the feasibility of a VR-guided intervention seeking to improve physical fitness in individuals with chronic pain. In a randomised controlled trial with a cross-over design and participants in rehabilitation for chronic pain were asked to perform, in a counter-balanced order, five minutes of aerobic exercise following identical instructions given through either a VR headset or TV screen. The procedures were then repeated with mindfulness exercises. Heart rate (HR) was monitored throughout all four sessions and participants self-reported perceived exercise intensity, benefit, relaxation, and reward. Paired Student's t-test, Wilcoxon signed rank test and McNemar's test were performed to compare the outcome variables across sessions for individuals, as appropriate.

Trial Health

87
On Track

Trial Health Score

Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach

Enrollment
27

participants targeted

Target at below P25 for not_applicable chronic-pain

Timeline
Completed

Started Aug 2022

Shorter than P25 for not_applicable chronic-pain

Geographic Reach
1 country

2 active sites

Status
completed

Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.

Trial Relationships

Click on a node to explore related trials.

Study Timeline

Key milestones and dates

Study Start

First participant enrolled

August 1, 2022

Completed
7 months until next milestone

Primary Completion

Last participant's last visit for primary outcome

March 1, 2023

Completed
Same day until next milestone

Study Completion

Last participant's last visit for all outcomes

March 1, 2023

Completed
1.5 years until next milestone

First Submitted

Initial submission to the registry

September 9, 2024

Completed
16 days until next milestone

First Posted

Study publicly available on registry

September 25, 2024

Completed
Last Updated

September 25, 2024

Status Verified

September 1, 2024

Enrollment Period

7 months

First QC Date

September 9, 2024

Last Update Submit

September 20, 2024

Conditions

Keywords

adulthumansrehabilitationvirtual realitychronic pain

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

  • Heart rate

    HR was registered throughout the sessions using a HR-monitors worn at the wrist (Garmin® Forerunner 55). The mean HRs for the last three minutes of each session were calculated for each individual. For the aerobic exercise sessions, HR was also categorised into HR-zones according to the ACSM recommendations based on the participants' predicted maximal HR (220 minus age) 4, with the proportion of time spent in " moderate-vigorous exercise intensity" (i.e., HR \> 65% of maximum heart rate) being calculated and used for further analysis.

    For duration of interventions, an average of 30 minutes.

Secondary Outcomes (4)

  • Exercise intensity

    After 10 minutes

  • Perceived degree of relaxation

    After 10 minutes

  • Perceived reward

    After 10 minutes

  • Exercise adherence

    After 10 minutes

Other Outcomes (3)

  • Adverse events VR Others

    After 30 minutes

  • Adverse events VR Mild

    After30 minutes

  • Adverse events consequence

    After 30 minutes

Study Arms (4)

VR-guided aerobic exercise then TV-guided aerobic exercise

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants were randomised to VR-guided aerobic exercise followed by TV-guided aerobic exercise

Behavioral: VR-guided aerobic exerciseBehavioral: TV-guided aerobic exercises

TV-guided exercise then VR-guided aerobic exercise

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants were randomised toTV-guided aerobic exercise followed by VR- aerobic guided exercise

Behavioral: VR-guided aerobic exerciseBehavioral: TV-guided aerobic exercises

VR-guided mindfulness exercise then TV-guided mindfulness exercise

EXPERIMENTAL

5 minutes of VR-guided mindfulness exercise followed by 5 minutes of TV-guided mindfulness exercise

Behavioral: VR-guided mindfulness exerciseBehavioral: TV-guided mindfulness exercises

TV-guided mindfulness exercise then VR-guided mindfulness exercise

EXPERIMENTAL

5 minutes of TV-guided mindfulness exercise followed by 5 minutes of VR-guided mindfulness exercise

Behavioral: VR-guided mindfulness exerciseBehavioral: TV-guided mindfulness exercises

Interventions

The intervention was 5 minutes of VR-guided aerobic exercise

TV-guided exercise then VR-guided aerobic exerciseVR-guided aerobic exercise then TV-guided aerobic exercise

The intervention was 5 minutes of VR-guided mindfulness exercise

TV-guided mindfulness exercise then VR-guided mindfulness exerciseVR-guided mindfulness exercise then TV-guided mindfulness exercise

The intervention was 5 minutes of TV-guided aerobic exercises

TV-guided exercise then VR-guided aerobic exerciseVR-guided aerobic exercise then TV-guided aerobic exercise

The intervention was 5 minutes of VR-guided mindfulness exercises

TV-guided mindfulness exercise then VR-guided mindfulness exerciseVR-guided mindfulness exercise then TV-guided mindfulness exercise

Eligibility Criteria

Age18 Years+
Sexall
Healthy VolunteersNo
Age GroupsAdult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.

Sponsors & Collaborators

Study Sites (2)

Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences

Elverum, Norway, 2406, Norway

Location

Stiftelsen Hernes Institutt

Hernes, Norway, 2410, Norway

Location

Related Publications (1)

  • Provan SA, Calogiuri G, Roset L, Mariussen M, Rosoy I, Johnsen TJ, Johansen T, Flaten OE, Litleskare S. VR-guided exercise and mindfulness program for people with chronic pain: a randomised controlled cross-over pilot trial. BMC Sports Sci Med Rehabil. 2025 Mar 21;17(1):55. doi: 10.1186/s13102-025-01102-9.

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Chronic Pain

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

PainNeurologic ManifestationsSigns and SymptomsPathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

Study Officials

  • Sella A Provan, MD PHD

    Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences

    STUDY DIRECTOR

Study Design

Study Type
interventional
Phase
not applicable
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Masking
NONE
Masking Details
No masking was possible
Purpose
OTHER
Intervention Model
CROSSOVER
Model Details: The studydesign was crossover and sequential. All participants tried VR- and TV- guided aerobic exercise and VR-and TV-guided mindfulness exercises, but in counterbalanced order
Sponsor Type
OTHER
Responsible Party
SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

First Submitted

September 9, 2024

First Posted

September 25, 2024

Study Start

August 1, 2022

Primary Completion

March 1, 2023

Study Completion

March 1, 2023

Last Updated

September 25, 2024

Record last verified: 2024-09

Data Sharing

IPD Sharing
Will not share

We have not described sharing data from this small trial in the application to the ethical committe. If a relevant party was to ask for individual level data we would consider the application and consult the ethical committee.

Locations