A randomized controlled pilot study examining immediate effects of embodying a virtual reality superhero in people with chronic low back pain

Figures & data

Figure 1. Visualization of the VR applications. Panel A: “Creed: Rise to Glory”; Panel B: “Avengers Powers Unite”; Panel C “The Climb”; Panel D “Vacation Simulator”.

Images displaying the three athletic/superhero-like virtual reality experiences and the non-athletic/superhero-like virtual reality experience.

Table 1. Descriptive data for both groups.

	Sex	Age	Disability	Pain intensity		Anxiety	Depression
	M:F	Years	Roland Morris	Current pain/10	Weekly average/10	GAD7	DASS subscale
VR-Superhero group
Mean:	11:9	51.9	57.5%	6.0	6.4	9.0	19.3
SD:		14.5	21.9%	1.9	1.3	5.5	12.3
VR-Play group
Mean:	5:5	56.9	59.2%	4.6	6.6	7.9	12.0
SD:		14.3	17.8%	1.8	2.3	6.1	14.2

Figure 2. Mean (95%CI) for the body image ratings (left panels) and pain ratings (right panels) at baseline, during VR, immediately after VR and at one-week follow-up for both interventions. For pain intensity rating data, grey triangles denote “average pain intensity over the last week” and black circles denote “current pain intensity”.

Graphical representation of the body image and pain data for participants exposed to embodiment of athletic/superhero-like avatars, and those exposed to a generic avatar.