Virtual Reality Integrated Within Physiotherapy for Patients With Complex Chronic Low Back Pain

This study examines the effect of a 12-week intervention of physiotherapy with integrated Virtual Reality (VR) on 120 patients with complex chronic low back pain. Patients in the intervention group will receive physiotherapy with integrated VR, while patients in the control group will receive physiotherapy as usual. The (cost-)effectiveness of this intervention will be investigated at 3 months and 12 months follow-up.

Inclusion Criteria:LBP > 3 months as reason to visit physiotherapistabsence of 'red flags' or signs of specific LBPcombination of severe disability (Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) score ≥ 30) and severe pain (numeric rating score (NRS) ≥ 5)age 18-80 yearsprovides informed consent.Exclusion Criteria:severe (physical or mental) comorbidity that will substantially hinder the physiotherapyplanned diagnostic or invasive therapeutic procedure (e.g. injection, nerve block or operation) for LBP in next three monthsno comprehension of Dutch languageinability to use VR (e.g. epilepsy, open wounds on face or severe visual impairment)no email-address and Wi-Fi