Efficacy of virtual reality to reduce chronic low back pain: Proof-of-concept of a non-pharmacological approach on pain, quality of life, neuropsychological and functional outcome

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0216858
• Publication Date: 2019-05-23T18:38:26Z
• Authors: Federica Alemanno; Elise Houdayer; Daniele Emedoli; Matteo Locatelli; Pietro Mortini; Carlo Mandelli; Alberto Raggi; Sandro Iannaccone
• Keywords: Adult; Male; Science; 03 medical and health sciences; 0302 clinical medicine; Activities of Daily Living; Body Image; Humans; Aged; Q; R; Neurological Rehabilitation; Virtual Reality; Middle Aged; 3. Good health; Affect; Italy; Quality of Life; Medicine; Exercise Movement Techniques; Female; Chronic Pain; Low Back Pain; Research Article

Chronic pain, such as low-back can be a highly disabling condition degrading people's quality of life (QoL). Not every patient responds to pharmacological therapies, thus alternative treatments have developed. The chronicity pain lead somatic dysperception, meaning mismatch between patients' own body perception and its actual physical state. Since clinical evaluation relies on subjective reports, image disruption associated with an incorrect rating inducing treatment possible risk drug abuse. Our aim was reduce chronic through multimodal neurorehabilitative strategy using innovative technologies help patients regain correct image.Twenty were included. Before after treatment, underwent: neurological exam; neuro-psychological testing cognitive functions (memory, attention, executive functions) personality traits, QoL mood; ratings; sensorimotor functional abilities' testing. Patients underwent 6 week-neurorehabilitative (total 12 sessions) virtual reality (VRRS system, Khymeia, Italy). Treatment consisted teaching execute movements the painful parts image, based augmented multisensory feedback (auditory, visual) provided by VRRS.Our data showed significant reductions in all scale scores (p<0.05); improvements domains functioning, role bodily vitality, social functioning; scales (p<0.05) mood (p = 0.04).This non-pharmacological approach able act multi-dimensional aspects improved QoL, intensity, patient's abilities.