EFFECTS OF VIRTUAL REALITY-BASED NECK-SPECIFIC SENSORIMOTORTRAINING IN PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC NECK PAIN: A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED PILOT TRIAL

Objective: To evaluate the effects of neck-specific sensorimotor training using a virtual reality device compared with 2 standard rehabilitation programmes: with, and without general sensorimotor training, in patients with non-traumatic chronic neck pain. Design: Pilot randomized control study. Patients and methods: A total of 51 participants were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 groups: 1: control group; 2: sensorimotor group; 3: virtual reality group. All 3 groups received the clinic's standard rehabilitation programme. Group 2 also received "general sensorimotor training" in the form of group therapy, for a total of 120 min. Group 3 received additional virtual reality-based "neck-specific sensorimotor training" for a total of 120 min. Participants' neck pain, headaches, active cervical range of motion, and Neck Disability Index were determined before and after 3 weeks of intervention. Results: Compared with the control group, the virtual reality group showed significant (p <0.05) advantages in relief of headaches, and active cervical range of motion in flexion and extension. Compared with the sensorimotor group, the virtual reality group showed significant improvements in cervical extension. Conclusion: Virtual reality-based sensorimotor training may increase the effects of a standard rehabilitation programme for patients with non-traumatic chronic neck pain, especially active cervical range of motion in extension.