Actively Recruiting
Contribution of Immersive Virtual Reality to a Standardized Rehabilitation Program for Upper Limb Chronic Pain: A Single-Case Experimental Design Study
Led by University Hospital, Angers · Updated on 2026-03-06
12
Participants Needed
2
Research Sites
95 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Background: Chronic pain represents a significant public health concern, given its high prevalence and the substantial impact it has on the quality of life of many individuals affected. There is no single, universally effective medical treatment for chronic pain. The gold standard for treatment is a multidisciplinary rehabilitation program. Immersive virtual reality (IVR) represents a novel and promising approach to do rehabilitation, offering the potential to enhance engagement and perception of movement. The objective of this study was to investigate the improvement of upper limb function in chronic pain patients using an IVR device in occupational therapy sessions during a rehabilitation program. Methods: The study use a single-case experimental design (SCED) to investigate the efficacy of IVR device in improving upper limb function in patients with upper limb chronic pain. The study was conducted in three phases: baseline, intervention, and follow-up. The SCED will be with multiple baseline across subjects, whereby the patient serves as his own control. A total of 12 participants will be included. The virtual reality sessions will be conducted exclusively during the intervention phase. The primary outcome measure will be the upper limb function, as assessed by the Quick DASH (Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand) questionnaire. Furthermore, the intensity of pain will be quantified using a numeric scale, and the pain self-efficacy will be evaluated using the Pain Self-Effacity Short Form Questionnaire. Expected results: This method will allow for the comparison of phases within and between subjects to determine whether the IVR sessions improve the function assessed by the Quick DASH. Conclusion: Further investigation is required to determine the potential benefits of using IVR for upper limb chronic pain rehabilitation, with a particular focus on the development of precise protocols for its use in clinical settings.
CONDITIONS
Official Title
Contribution of Immersive Virtual Reality to a Standardized Rehabilitation Program for Upper Limb Chronic Pain: A Single-Case Experimental Design Study
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Chronic pain in the upper limb, mostly in one or both upper limbs, lasting more than 3 months
- Age between 18 and 65 years
- Affiliated with or benefiting from a social security organization
- Able to tolerate the virtual reality device
- Signed informed consent form
You will not qualify if you...
- Upper limb surgery within the past 6 months
- Infection or central nervous system pathology or active cancer
- Fibromyalgia
- Severe psychiatric or cognitive disorders
- Diabetes mellitus with peripheral neuropathy
- Neurogenic paraosteoarthropathy or recent fracture
- Pregnancy or breast-feeding
- Poor understanding of the French language
- Person deprived of liberty by judicial or administrative decision
- Psychiatric disorder
- Subject to a legal protection measure
- Unable to give consent
- Unstabilized epilepsy, facial trauma within 3 months, hearing or visual impairment, or pain, dizziness, or nausea caused by virtual reality device use
AI-Screening
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Trial Site Locations
Total: 2 locations
1
CHU Angers
Angers, France, 49933
Actively Recruiting
2
CH LAVAL
Laval, France, 53000
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
P
Pauline ALi, Doctor
CONTACT
V
Viviane CASSISA
CONTACT
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
NONE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
SEQUENTIAL
Primary Purpose
TREATMENT
Number of Arms
4
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