Virtual Reality Intervention in Patients With Persistent Shoulder Pain

Starting soon · Not applicable

Conditions studied: Rotator Cuff Syndrome, Shoulder Instability, Frozen Shoulder

In brief

Shoulder pain is very common and can make daily activities difficult. Many people have shoulder pain for a long time, even after treatment. Common shoulder problems include pain from the shoulder muscles and tendons, a frozen shoulder, or an unstable shoulder. Unfortunately, both surgery and physiotherapy often help only a little. This can be due to many reasons, such as people not continuing their exercises, fear of moving the shoulder, incorrect beliefs about pain, other health problems, or lifestyle factors. Virtual Reality (VR) is a new and promising technology that is already being used to help people with long-lasting pain. By using a VR headset, people can exercise in a motivating and engaging virtual environment. VR may help reduce fear of movement, improve how people feel about their body, make movement easier, and help people stick to their exercises. However, there is still very little research on using VR for long-lasting shoulder pain. The goal of this study is to find out whether a home-based VR exercise program for people with ongoing shoulder complaints is practical and acceptable. The investigators want to know if people are willing and able to use VR at home, whether they continue the treatment, and whether it shows early signs of reducing pain and limitations. They also want to understand who benefits most from VR, in which situations it works best, and why it may or may not help. People aged 16 years and older who have had shoulder pain and limitations for more than three months can take part. This includes people with shoulder tendon-related pain, frozen shoulder, or shoulder instability. The study lasts six weeks and includes three parts. First, participants receive online educational videos about shoulder pain and movement. Second, they take part in three physiotherapy sessions: one in person and two online. Third, participants use a VR headset at home every day for about 15 minutes to perform guided shoulder and whole-body exercises, such as reaching or aiming tasks. The exercises gradually become more challenging. Participants receive clear written and video instructions, and technical support is available if needed. During the study, participants will complete questionnaires and the VR system will record basic usage data. At the end of the study, group interviews will be held with participants and physiotherapists to talk about their experiences with VR and how it influenced pain, movement, and daily activities. Using VR is considered safe. Some people may experience mild and short-lasting side effects, such as dizziness, but serious problems are not expected. The main effort for participants is the time spent on exercises and completing questionnaires. The results of this study will help determine whether VR is a useful and realistic treatment option for people with long-lasting shoulder pain and will guide future, larger studies.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT07390227

Run by

HAN University of Applied Sciences

People needed

30

Starts

2026-01-12

Expected to finish

2026-12-01

Last updated by the study team

2026-02-09

Who can join

Age: 16 and older. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: not accepted.

You may qualify if…

• General inclusion criteria:
• Unilateral shoulder pain NPRS ≥ 4/10, persisting longer than 3 months
• Adults ≥ 16 years old
• Willing and able to comply with study protocol
• Diagnosis of rotator cuff related shoulder pain, or shoulder instability, or frozen shoulder, confirmed according to international clinical guidelines
• RC related shoulder pain
• shoulder pain and/or weakness during active or resisted shoulder external rotation, and or, shoulder elevation and/or
• Presence of Painful arc during elevation
• shoulder instability
• Radiographically, computed tomography scans, magnetic resonance imaging scans confirmed dislocation or
• Documented history of manual or surgical relocation of the shoulder
• Traumatic onset with persistent symptoms
• Positive apprehension sign (fear of imminent dislocation when the arm is placed in abduction and external rotation during clinical examination)
• frozen shoulder
• Restricted active and passive range of shoulder movement in all directions
• Restricted active and passive shoulder external rotation of 50 percent compared to non-painful arm
• Nothing abnormal detected on radiograph of shoulder

You may not qualify if…

• Neurological disease affecting the shoulder
• Shoulder stiffness not consistent to frozen shoulder
• Pain in the shoulder that is elicited by movements of the head and neck.
• history of motion-sickness
• history of seizures
• severe vertigo or vestibular impairment.

Where it is running

• HAN — Nijmegen, Netherlands

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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