This Study Explores How Short-term Immersive VR With Exercises and Ergonomic Training Can Reduce Neck Pain, Improve Movement, Strength, and Work Productivity in Computer Users Who Are at High Risk Due to Prolonged Screen Time and Poor Posture.

NCT06962982 | Enrolling By Invitation DMC

• 1 other identifier: IRB-COHS-STD-9-Jan-2025
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 30
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if a short-term immersive Virtual Reality (VR) intervention, combined with exercises and ergonomic training, can help treat neck pain in computer users. It will also explore how safe and effective this approach is. The main questions it aims to answer are: Does immersive VR with exercise and ergonomic training reduce neck pain and disability? Does it improve cervical range of motion, neck muscle endurance, and work productivity? Researchers will compare the effects before and after the intervention to see how well it works for managing neck pain in computer users. Participants will: Use immersive VR exercises and receive ergonomic training over a short period Attend assessment sessions to measure pain, movement, endurance, and work productivity Follow specific guidelines for posture and workplace adjustments during the study

Conditions

Neck Pain; Neck Disability; Neck Endurance; Work Productivity; Cervical Range of Motion

Keywords

ergonomic training; neck pain; cervical ROM; neck endurance; neck disability; work productivity; computer users

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• The Numeric Pain Rating Scale

  The Numeric Pain Rating Scale asks individuals to rate their pain intensity on a scale from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst pain imaginable), with higher numbers indicating greater pain severity. The Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) demonstrates robust psychometric properties across multiple studies, making it a valuable tool for pain assessment in clinical practice. It exhibits excellent test-retest reliability, with coefficients ranging from 0.72 to 0.95 and intraclass correlation coefficients of 0.82 to 0.95 across various patient populations. Additionally, the NPRS is highly acceptable to patients due to its simplicity, can be administered verbally or in writing.

  3 weeks

• Cervical Range of Motion

  Cervical range of motion (CROM) is a clinically critical outcome measure for assessing neck dysfunction, treatment efficacy, and rehabilitation progress. CROM measurments provide objective, quantifiable data to assess neck dysfunction severity, monitor rehabilitation progress, and evaluate treatment effectiveness, enabling clinicians to tailor interventions and predict recovery outcomes in patients with musculoskeletal or neurological conditions.

  3 weeks

Secondary Outcomes (4)

• The Neck Disability Index

  3 weeks

• Computer Workstation Ergonomics Self-Assessment Checklist

  3 weeks

• Work Productivity and Activity Impairment Questionnaire

  3 weeks

• System usability scale (SUS) (applicable for group B)

  3 weeks

Study Arms (2)

Group A - Therapeutic exercises and Ergonomic training.

EXPERIMENTAL

An initial ergonomic assessment of all the participants' workstation will be done using the Computer Workstation Self-Assessment Checklist to identify potential risk factors for neck pain and dysfunction. Numeric pain rating values, Neck muscle endurance, cervical range of motion, neck disability index and work productivity score will be measured and recorded for each participant. This group will receive therapeutic exercises including stretching and active exercises. Recommendations for adjustments to the chair, desk, and equipment layout would also be given to optimize comfort and efficiency and reduce neck pain due to improper workstation design. The session will last for 15 minutes. Follow up 2 days in a week over the 3-week period will be done to make necessary adjustments, and reinforce the ergonomic principles. All outcome measure will be attained again at the end of the 3 week period.

Behavioral: Therapeutic Exercises; Behavioral: Ergonomic Training

Group B: Therapeutic exercises Ergonomic Training, and Immersive VR therapy.

EXPERIMENTAL

An initial ergonomic assessment of all the participants' workstation will be done using the Computer Workstation Self-Assessment Checklist to identify potential risk factors for neck pain and dysfunction. Numeric pain rating values, Neck muscle endurance, cervical range of motion, neck disability index and work productivity score will be measured and recorded for each participant. The participants of this group will be given all the trainings as Group A along with the addition of immersive VR. This task will be delivered through the Human XR device Oculus Quest 3. The VR module will involve participants to engage in targeted cervical movements (flexion, extension, rotation) to attain therapeutic objectives through visual cues. Group B will be given VR therapy for an additional 20 minutes. Follow up 2 days in a week over the 3-week period will be done for the participant to use the immersive VR mode. All outcome measure will be attained again at the end of the 3 week period.

Behavioral: Therapeutic Exercises; Behavioral: Ergonomic Training; Device: Human XR device - Oculus Quest 3

Interventions

Therapeutic Exercises BEHAVIORAL

Therapeutic exercises including stretching and active exercises for neck and shoulder.

Group A - Therapeutic exercises and Ergonomic training.; Group B: Therapeutic exercises Ergonomic Training, and Immersive VR therapy.

Ergonomic Training BEHAVIORAL

Recommendations for adjustments to the chair, desk, and equipment to optimize comfort and efficiency and reduce unnecessary stress and loading on neck muscles.

Group A - Therapeutic exercises and Ergonomic training.; Group B: Therapeutic exercises Ergonomic Training, and Immersive VR therapy.

Human XR device - Oculus Quest 3 DEVICE

Meta Quest 3 is a standalone virtual reality headset by Meta Platforms featuring a slimmer design, higher-resolution dual LCD displays, improved performance with the Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 chip, and advanced mixed reality capabilities through color passthrough cameras and a depth sensor.

Group B: Therapeutic exercises Ergonomic Training, and Immersive VR therapy.

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 60 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Computer users of age 18 to 50 years old with history of more than 6 hours of screen time. (9)
• Complaints of neck pain.

You may not qualify if:

• Individuals having complains of vertigo
• Radiating pain
• Balance issues
• Motion sickness
• Recent cervical fractures/dislocations or whiplash injuries
• Complaints of photosensitivity
• Complaints of frequent headaches

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Gulf Medical University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Thumbay Medicity, Al Jurf, Ajman

Ajman, United Arab Emirates

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Neck Pain

Interventions

Exercise Therapy

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Pain; Neurologic Manifestations; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Rehabilitation; Aftercare; Continuity of Patient Care; Patient Care; Therapeutics; Physical Therapy Modalities

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Model Details: participants will be randomly divided into two groups

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: April 30, 2025
• First Posted: May 8, 2025
• Study Start: April 1, 2025
• Primary Completion: May 30, 2025
• Study Completion: June 30, 2025
• Last Updated: May 8, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-04

Locations

AE (1)