Effects of Virtual Reality-Assisted Pain Neuroscience Education on Chronic Nonspecific Low Back Pain

Chronic nonspecific low back pain is a multifactorial condition involving not only biomechanical but also psychological and neurocognitive components, in which factors such as kinesiophobia and pain catastrophizing contribute to pain persistence and disability. Pain Neuroscience Education (PNE) aims to reconceptualize pain, reduce fear-avoidance behaviors, and improve function, particularly when combined with exercise, although traditional educational methods may be limited in explaining abstract concepts. Virtual reality (VR) offers an interactive and engaging platform that may enhance the effectiveness of PNE by facilitating cognitive restructuring and increasing motivation, with evidence of short-term benefits on pain and kinesiophobia. Integrating VR-supported PNE with core stabilization exercises may simultaneously address biomechanical and cognitive processes, thereby providing a more comprehensive rehabilitation approach. Accordingly, this study aims to examine the effects of adding VR-supported pain education to core stabilization exercises on pain, kinesiophobia, pain catastrophizing, functional status, and balance in individuals with chronic nonspecific low back pain.

NCT Number	NCT07305597
Lead Sponsor	Kirsehir Ahi Evran Universitesi
Conditions	Chronic Non-Specific Low Back Pain
Enrollment	51 participants
Start Date	2026-02-15
Primary Completion	2026-05-25 (estimated)
Study Completion	2026-05-30 (estimated)
Updated on ClinicalTrials.gov	2026-06-05