The effect of exercises done with virtual reality glasses on pain, daily life activities, and quality of life of individuals with lumbar disc hernia: a randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Background

Lumbar disc herniation is a prevalent condition that leads to pain, disability, and a reduction in quality of life. While conventional treatments are widely utilized, virtual reality-based exercise programs present a promising alternative. However, the effectiveness of these exercises in the rehabilitation of lumbar disc herniation remains unclear.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of virtual reality-based exercises on pain, daily activities, quality of life, and fall risk in individuals with lumbar disc herniation.

Materials and methods

This randomized controlled trial included 68 patients meeting the study criteria. Inclusion criteria: No other physical disabilities, no surgery in the last 6 months, no uncontrolled diseases, no vertigo, knee or joint issues, moderate/low balance impairment, and body mass ındex below 40. Exclusion criteria: Uncontrolled diseases, vertigo, knee/joint issues, cognitive impairments, pregnancy, inability to complete fall risk measurement, or attend follow-ups. Participants were divided into a virtual reality group (n = 34, Mean age ± Standard Deviation = 51.05 ± 13.39, 41.2% male, 58.8% female) and a control group (n = 34, Mean age ± Standard Deviation = 53.55 ± 12.25, 29.4% male, 70.6% female). The virtual reality group performed 28 sessions of virtual reality -based exercises, while the control group received routine hospital treatment. The study was conducted in a single hospital due to equipment limitations in the region. Data were collected using the Patient Information Form, Visual Analog Scale, Oswestry Disability Index, Short Form-36 Quality of Life Scale, and Fall Risk Device. Statistical analyses were performed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences 20, including t-tests, chi-square tests, effect size analysis, and skewness/kurtosis assessments for homogeneity.

Results

The virtual reality group showed a significant reduction in pain (Visual Analog Scale: 3.38 ± 1.48, Cl: -2.49, -0.86, p < 0.05) and disability (Oswestry Disability Index: 21.59 ± 6.00, Cl: -19.92, -7.38, p < 0.05), along with significant improvements in all Short Form-36 Quality Of Life sub-dimensions (p < 0.05).Fall risk scores also decreased significantly in the virtual reality group (Cl: -26.57, -7.26, p < 0.05). There were no significant baseline differences between the groups, confirming their comparability before the intervention.

Conclusion

Virtual reality -based exercises effectively reduced pain, improved daily activities and quality of life, and decreased fall risk in lumbar disc herniation patients, suggesting their potential as a complementary rehabilitation approach. Blinding was not applied due to the nature of the interventions, which may introduce a potential risk of bias.

Trial registration

This study was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (Clinical trial number: NCT05463588; Registration date: 08/07/2022). The study was retrospectively registered.