Efficacy of Virtual Reality on Neck Pain and Function in Patients with Non-Specific Neck Dysfunction: A Randomized Control Trial

Abstract

Kadrya H Battecha, Hebah A Takrouni, Rawan M Alzahrani, Razan M Alzahrani, Fatimah A Alzahrani and Hanaa S Mohamed*

Objective: to evaluate the efficacy of Virtual reality on neck pain and function in patients with non-specific neck dysfunction.

Design: A pre-test post-test randomized control trial was performed at Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia. Thirty female students, 18-25 years, were assigned to study group or control group randomly. The control group received traditional treatment in form of exercises; the study group received Virtual reality therapy plus traditional treatment. The intervention duration was 6 weeks. Before and after 6 weeks of training, pain, neck range of motion, and neck function were examined.

Results: there was no statistically significant difference in pain, neck range of motion, and neck functional activity between pre and post-treatment mean values of majority measured variables in both groups except pressure pain threshold variable in favor of the study group (P <0.05).

Conclusion: Virtual reality and traditional exercises have positive effect on non-specific neck dysfunction and they nearly have the same effect on neck pain, range of motion and functional level with favor of Virtual reality on pressure pain threshold.