Visual feedback manipulation in virtual reality alters movement-evoked pain perception in chronic low back pain
Abstract Movement-evoked pain in chronic low back pain (LBP) can be influenced by visual cues linked to threatening movements. This study explored whether manipulating visual proprioceptive feedback via virtual reality (VR) alters movement-evoked pain and if individuals with higher pain, kinesiophob...
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Nature Portfolio
2025-07-01
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-08094-z |
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| author | Jaime Jordán-López María D. Arguisuelas Julio Doménech M. Lourdes Peñalver-Barrios Marta Miragall Rocío Herrero Rosa M. Baños Juan J. Amer-Cuenca Juan F. Lisón |
| author_facet | Jaime Jordán-López María D. Arguisuelas Julio Doménech M. Lourdes Peñalver-Barrios Marta Miragall Rocío Herrero Rosa M. Baños Juan J. Amer-Cuenca Juan F. Lisón |
| author_sort | Jaime Jordán-López |
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| description | Abstract Movement-evoked pain in chronic low back pain (LBP) can be influenced by visual cues linked to threatening movements. This study explored whether manipulating visual proprioceptive feedback via virtual reality (VR) alters movement-evoked pain and if individuals with higher pain, kinesiophobia, disability, or catastrophising are more susceptible to these manipulations. Cross-sectional study with 50 patients with non-specific chronic LBP. Participants performed lumbar spine extension until pain onset with and without VR. VR feedback was manipulated to show 10% less (E −) or 10% more (E +) movement than actual extension. Range of motion (ROM) was measured using an electro-goniometer. Within-group differences across control (E), E −, and E + conditions were assessed with Friedman tests. VR underestimation (E −) led to a 20% increase in ROM compared to the control (E; p = 0.002) and a 22% increase compared to overestimation (E +; p < 0.001). Patients with higher kinesiophobia and disability showed greater improvement in the E − condition. Manipulating visual-proprioceptive information through VR altered pain thresholds in chronic LBP. Underestimated movement (E −) delayed pain onset by extending ROM. Kinesiophobia and disability significantly influenced susceptibility to visual feedback. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-3ba2ff1fa27c4f72aa46cca3fea0d2c0 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2045-2322 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
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| spelling | doaj-art-3ba2ff1fa27c4f72aa46cca3fea0d2c02025-08-20T04:01:34ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-07-011511910.1038/s41598-025-08094-zVisual feedback manipulation in virtual reality alters movement-evoked pain perception in chronic low back painJaime Jordán-López0María D. Arguisuelas1Julio Doménech2M. Lourdes Peñalver-Barrios3Marta Miragall4Rocío Herrero5Rosa M. Baños6Juan J. Amer-Cuenca7Juan F. Lisón8Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Health Sciences, Universidad Cardenal Herrera-CEU, CEU UniversitiesDepartment of Physiotherapy, School of Health Sciences, Universidad Cardenal Herrera-CEU, CEU UniversitiesDepartment of Orthopaedic Surgery and Traumatology, Clínica Universidad de NavarraDepartment of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Hospital Arnau de VilanovaCIBER of Physiopathology of Obesity and Nutrition (CIBEROBN), Instituto de Salud Carlos IIICIBER of Physiopathology of Obesity and Nutrition (CIBEROBN), Instituto de Salud Carlos IIICIBER of Physiopathology of Obesity and Nutrition (CIBEROBN), Instituto de Salud Carlos IIIDepartment of Physiotherapy, School of Health Sciences, Universidad Cardenal Herrera-CEU, CEU UniversitiesDepartment of Biomedical Sciences, School of Health Sciences, Universidad Cardenal Herrera-CEU, CEU UniversitiesAbstract Movement-evoked pain in chronic low back pain (LBP) can be influenced by visual cues linked to threatening movements. This study explored whether manipulating visual proprioceptive feedback via virtual reality (VR) alters movement-evoked pain and if individuals with higher pain, kinesiophobia, disability, or catastrophising are more susceptible to these manipulations. Cross-sectional study with 50 patients with non-specific chronic LBP. Participants performed lumbar spine extension until pain onset with and without VR. VR feedback was manipulated to show 10% less (E −) or 10% more (E +) movement than actual extension. Range of motion (ROM) was measured using an electro-goniometer. Within-group differences across control (E), E −, and E + conditions were assessed with Friedman tests. VR underestimation (E −) led to a 20% increase in ROM compared to the control (E; p = 0.002) and a 22% increase compared to overestimation (E +; p < 0.001). Patients with higher kinesiophobia and disability showed greater improvement in the E − condition. Manipulating visual-proprioceptive information through VR altered pain thresholds in chronic LBP. Underestimated movement (E −) delayed pain onset by extending ROM. Kinesiophobia and disability significantly influenced susceptibility to visual feedback.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-08094-zChronic low back painVirtual realityMovement evoked-painIllusionsVisual-proprioceptive cuesModulation |
| spellingShingle | Jaime Jordán-López María D. Arguisuelas Julio Doménech M. Lourdes Peñalver-Barrios Marta Miragall Rocío Herrero Rosa M. Baños Juan J. Amer-Cuenca Juan F. Lisón Visual feedback manipulation in virtual reality alters movement-evoked pain perception in chronic low back pain Scientific Reports Chronic low back pain Virtual reality Movement evoked-pain Illusions Visual-proprioceptive cues Modulation |
| title | Visual feedback manipulation in virtual reality alters movement-evoked pain perception in chronic low back pain |
| title_full | Visual feedback manipulation in virtual reality alters movement-evoked pain perception in chronic low back pain |
| title_fullStr | Visual feedback manipulation in virtual reality alters movement-evoked pain perception in chronic low back pain |
| title_full_unstemmed | Visual feedback manipulation in virtual reality alters movement-evoked pain perception in chronic low back pain |
| title_short | Visual feedback manipulation in virtual reality alters movement-evoked pain perception in chronic low back pain |
| title_sort | visual feedback manipulation in virtual reality alters movement evoked pain perception in chronic low back pain |
| topic | Chronic low back pain Virtual reality Movement evoked-pain Illusions Visual-proprioceptive cues Modulation |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-08094-z |
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