Virtual Reality Application for Assessing Neck Movement and Position Sense

NCT07190014 | Not Yet Recruiting DMC

• 1 other identifier: VRROMJPSEV
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 58
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The goal of this observational study is to examine whether a virtual reality application developed by our team can be used to evaluate cervical range of motion (ROM) and joint position sense (JPS) in individuals with chronic neck pain. The main questions it aims to answer are:

• Does the virtual reality application provide reliable measurements of cervical ROM?
• Does the application accurately assess cervical JPS when compared with a standard clinical tool (Cervical Range of Motion device, CROM)? Researchers will compare results from the VR application with results from the CROM device to see if the two methods give similar outcomes. Participants will:
• Complete a demographic and clinical evaluation.
• Perform standardized neck movements (flexion, extension, left/right lateral flexion, left/right rotation).
• Be assessed using both the CROM device and the VR application for ROM and JPS.

Conditions

Chronic Neck Pain

Keywords

virtual reality; neck pain; pain; chronic pain; evaluation; range of motion; joint position sense; proprioception; application; technologic rehabilitation

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Cervical Range of Motion (ROM) Measurements

  Cervical ROM will be assessed in six directions (flexion, extension, right/left lateral flexion, right/left rotation). Measurements will be obtained using both the CROM device and the virtual reality assessment module developed by the research team. Results will be compared to evaluate the validity of the VR-based system.

  At baseline, during a single assessment session (Day 1).

• Cervical Joint Position Sense (JPS) Error

  JPS will be evaluated by asking participants to move their head to 65% of the available ROM in a given direction, return to the neutral position, and then attempt to relocate the same target position. Errors will be recorded in degrees. Measurements will be taken with both the CROM device and the VR assessment module, and results will be compared.

  At baseline, during a single assessment session (Day 1).

Secondary Outcomes (3)

• Usability and Participant Experience

  Immediately after completion of the VR assessment session (Day 1).

• Simulator Sickness Questionnaire (SSQ) Scores

  Immediately after completion of the VR assessment session (Day 1).

• Assessment Duration

  During the single assessment session (Day 1).

Study Arms (4)

Virtual Reality Based Assesment Group - Participants with Chronic Neck Pain

Participants in this group will be evaluated with the virtual reality assessment module developed by our team. * Cervical range of motion (ROM): The module records movement angles in six directions - flexion, extension, right/left lateral flexion, and right/left rotation. * Joint position sense (JPS): For this assessment, participants move their head to 65% of their available range in a given direction, return to the neutral position, and then attempt to reposition to the same target. Errors are recorded in degrees. Results from the VR module will be compared with those obtained using the Cervical Range of Motion (CROM) device.

CROM Based Assesment Group - Participants with Chronic Neck Pain

Participants in this group will be evaluated using the Cervical Range of Motion (CROM) device, a standard clinical tool for neck assessment. * Cervical range of motion (ROM): Movement angles will be measured in six directions - flexion, extension, right/left lateral flexion, and right/left rotation. * Joint position sense (JPS): Participants will be guided to move their head to 65% of the available range in a given direction, return to the neutral position, and then attempt to reposition to the same target. Errors will be recorded in degrees. Measurements obtained from the CROM device will be compared with those from the virtual reality assessment module.

Virtual Reality Based Evaluation - Healthy Participiants

Participants in this group will be evaluated with the virtual reality assessment module developed by our team. • Cervical range of motion (ROM): The module records movement angles in six directions - flexion, extension, right/left lateral flexion, and right/left rotation. • Joint position sense (JPS): For this assessment, participants move their head to 65% of their available range in a given direction, return to the neutral position, and then attempt to reposition to the same target. Errors are recorded in degrees. Results from the VR module will be compared with those obtained using the Cervical Range of Motion (CROM) device.

CROM Based Assesment Group - Healthy Participants

Participants in this group will be evaluated using the Cervical Range of Motion (CROM) device, a standard clinical tool for neck assessment. • Cervical range of motion (ROM): Movement angles will be measured in six directions - flexion, extension, right/left lateral flexion, and right/left rotation. • Joint position sense (JPS): Participants will be guided to move their head to 65% of the available range in a given direction, return to the neutral position, and then attempt to reposition to the same target. Errors will be recorded in degrees. Measurements obtained from the CROM device will be compared with those from the virtual reality assessment module.

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 65 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)
• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Study participants will be recruited from individuals referred to the Neurosurgery Department of Hacettepe University, Ankara, Türkiye, as well as healthy volunteers from the general population. The study population will include adults within the target age range, consisting of both individuals with chronic neck pain and healthy controls, to allow comparison between clinical and non-clinical groups.

You may qualify if:

• Chronic Neck Pain (CNP) participants
• Age 18-65. 
• ≥ 6 months of neck pain. 
• Willing to participate (informed consent). 
• Healthy volunteers
• Age 18-65. 
• No neck pain complaints. 
• Willing to participate (informed consent). 

You may not qualify if:

• Prior adverse virtual reality experience. 
• Photophobia: UPSIS-12 score \> 12. 
• Migraine screen: ≥2 "yes" on ID-Migraine. 
• Any neurological deficit. 
• History of spinal surgery. 
• Medical conditions that could interfere with participation: orthopedic, inflammatory, cardiovascular, rheumatologic, or vestibular problems. 
• Pregnancy.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Hacettepe University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Hacettepe University Hospital Department of Neurosurgery

Ankara, Ankara, 06000, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

Related Publications (1)

• Sarig Bahat H, Takasaki H, Chen X, Bet-Or Y, Treleaven J. Cervical kinematic training with and without interactive VR training for chronic neck pain - a randomized clinical trial. Man Ther. 2015 Feb;20(1):68-78. doi: 10.1016/j.math.2014.06.008. Epub 2014 Jul 5.

  PMID: 25066503 BACKGROUND

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Neck Pain; Pain; Chronic Pain

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

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

Central Study Contacts

Hatice Cetin, PhD

CONTACT

+905079153272; haticebitirim@hacettepe.edu.tr

Berkant A. Ozcelik, BD

CONTACT

+905538467598; berkantanilozcelik@gmail.com

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: OTHER
• Time Perspective: PROSPECTIVE
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Assistant Professor of Neurological Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: September 16, 2025
• First Posted: September 24, 2025
• Study Start: October 25, 2025
• Primary Completion (Estimated): July 30, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): July 30, 2026
• Last Updated: September 29, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-09

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)