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. (VR ROM)

Gulf Medical University

Status: Invitation-only

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

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

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT06962982

IRB-COHS-STD-9-Jan-2025

Details and patient eligibility

About

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

Enrollment: 30 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18 to 60 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

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

Exclusion criteria

1. Individuals having complains of vertigo
2. Radiating pain
3. Balance issues
4. Motion sickness
5. Recent cervical fractures/dislocations or whiplash injuries
6. Complaints of photosensitivity
7. Complaints of frequent headaches

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

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30 participants in 2 patient groups

Group A - Therapeutic exercises and Ergonomic training.

Experimental group

Description:

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.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Therapeutic Exercises

Behavioral: Ergonomic Training

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

Experimental group

Description:

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.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Therapeutic Exercises

Device: Human XR device - Oculus Quest 3

Behavioral: Ergonomic Training