Effects of External vs Internal Focus During Virtual Reality Core Exercises for Older Adults with Chronic Low Back Pain

What this Trial Is About

Chronic low back pain is common in older adults and is linked to problems with balance, higher chances of falling, frailty, depression, and reduced physical ability. Researchers are studying how different ways of focusing attention during virtual reality-based exercise might affect these issues. This trial compares the effects of focusing attention externally versus internally during a core stabilization exercise program in older adults with chronic low back pain. Participants will be randomly assigned to two groups one receiving verbal and visual cues to focus on movement effects on the environment external focus, and the other focusing on body movements and muscle control internal focus. Both groups will perform the same virtual reality-assisted core stabilization exercises three times a week for six weeks, with sessions lasting 45 to 60 minutes under physiotherapist supervision in a safe clinical setting. Participants will be assessed before and after the six-week program using measures such as frailty level, balance and fall risk, lower limb strength, sarcopenia risk, and depression symptoms. Tests include the Frailty Assessment Scale, Biodex Balance System, Five Times Sit-to-Stand Test, SARC-T questionnaire, and Beck Depression Inventory. Researchers aim to find out if the different focus strategies lead to different physical, functional, and psychological outcomes in these older adults.

Comparison of Focus of Attention in Virtual Reality-Based Exercise Training in Older Adults With Low Back Pain