Virtual reality in the management of patients  with low back and neck pain: a retrospective  analysis of 82 people treated solely in the metaverse

Background Clinically, neck pain disorders (NPD) and non-specifc low back pain (NS-LBP) are respectively the fourth  and frst most common conditions associated with the greatest number of years lived with disability. Remote delivery  of care may beneft healthcare sustainability, reduce environmental pollution, and free up space for those requiring  care non-virtual care. Methods A retrospective analysis was performed on 82 participants with NS-LBP and/or NPD who received exercise  therapy delivered solely in the metaverse using virtually reality. The study was to determine if this was achievable, safe,  had appropriate outcome measures that could be collected, and if there was any early evidence of benefcial efects. Results The study demonstrated that virtual reality treatment delivered via the metaverse appears to be safe (no  adverse events or side efects). Data for more than 40 outcome measures were collected. Disability from NS-LBP was  signifcantly reduced (Modifed Oswestry Low Back Pain Disability Index) by 17.8% (p<0.001) and from NPD (Neck Disability Index) by 23.2% (p=0.02). Conclusions The data suggest that this method of providing exercise therapy was feasible, and safe (no adverse  events reported), that complete reports were obtained from a large selection of patients, and that software acquired  outcomes were obtainable over a range of time points. Further prospective research is necessary to better understand  our clinical fndings.