Effects of virtual reality exercise on pain, joint motion, and quality of life in patients with frozen shoulder: a randomized controlled study.

Abstract

Background: Restriction of shoulder movements in frozen shoulder may negatively affect individual's daily living activities. The effect of the virtual reality (VR)-based exercise program, which is an innovative application and has been used in the field of physiotherapy in recent years, is unknown on patients diagnosed with frozen shoulder.

Objective: This study was conducted to determine the effects of a VR-based exercise program provided to patients with frozen shoulder on their pain, joint motion, and quality of life.

Methods: In the randomized controlled study, patients were divided into two groups to receive treatment five times a week for four weeks:VR-based exercise (VR group, n = 18) and conventional treatment(control group, n = 18). The data were collected using the VisualAnalog Scale, the Shoulder Pain and Disability Index, and the ShortForm - 36 health Scale.

Results: In comparison to the pre-treatment measurements, improvements were observed in pain, joint range of motion, and quality of life in both groups after the treatment (p < .001). The improvement in pain observed in the VR group after the treatment was greater than that observed in the control group (U=-2.064, p= .030). After the treatment, the quality of life in the mental health dimension was better for patients in the VR group (U= -1.979, p= .048).

Conclusion: VR-based exercise was an effective method for reducing the pain levels and improving the mental health of patients diagnosed with frozen shoulder.