Physiotherapist beliefs and perspectives on virtual reality–supported rehabilitation for the assessment and management of musculoskeletal shoulder pain: a focus group study protocol

Abstract

Shoulder pain accounts for a large proportion of musculoskeletal disorders and years lived with disability. Musculoskeletal shoulder pain is challenging to manage and while research evidence suggests that exercise should be a cornerstone of shoulder pain rehabilitation, the exact type and dosage of exercise is unclear. Adherence is a barrier to successful outcomes with exercise-based management of musculoskeletal pain, especially for those with co-morbidities, high pain levels and reported boredom associated with competing prescribed exercise. Virtual reality (VR) may offer an effective platform for rehabilitation of musculoskeletal shoulder pain. Virtual Reality has been shown to be effective for management of acute and chronic pain conditions, for delivering education around various health conditions, and for supporting rehabilitation of neurological conditions. Therefore, it is possible that VR may have a role in the delivery of exercise and education for individuals with musculoskeletal shoulder pain. VR intervention design should involve several steps and begin with establishing early acceptability from users as to the suitability of the technology in clinical practice as well as potential barriers and facilitators to using the technology successfully. This study will therefore aim to explore physiotherapists beliefs and perspectives of immersive VR as a platform for assessment and rehabilitation in patients with musculoskeletal shoulder pain. Further, this study will inform the development of a VR intervention for use in the rehabilitation of musculoskeletal shoulder pain. A series of online focus groups will be conducted with physiotherapists in Ireland using a qualitative descriptive approach to data analysis. A six-phase process of data analysis will be carried out to identify important patterns and themes within the data. The current study will be the first to explore clinician’s perspectives on the role of VR in musculoskeletal practice.

Awareness, Knowledge and Attitude About Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality in Physiotherapy Practice among Physiotherapists

“…Virtual reality is the term used to describe a three-dimensional, computer-generated environment which can be explored and interacted with. [1] That person becomes part of this virtual world or is immersed within this environment and is able to manipulate objects or perform actions. Today virtual reality is usually implemented using computerbased technology.…”

“…Nevertheless, further development of Virtual and Augmented Reality based rehabilitation depends on the resolution of certain issues that currently present either technological or financial limitations. [1,7] Today's clinician is privileged to have an access to a variety of technologies that provide tools for both research and clinical intervention and practice. Virtual Reality technologies have now begun to be used as an assessment and treatment in rehabilitation as well.…”

Virtual reality in the management of health conditions for people aged 65 years and older: A retrospective analysis.

“…Virtual reality (VR) applications whose origins have been in the gaming industry have increasingly being used in healthcare, for treating pain associated with burns injuries, musculoskeletal conditions, as a treatment for stress, anxiety and phobias, and to increase levels of physical activity [3,4]. The technology has been increasingly used in the management of experienced with older people [5], and may become bene cial in the management of frailty, balance and physical skill performance, mild cognitive impairment, metabolic syndrome, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease, cancer, emotional well-being, reducing social isolation, sarcopenia, cardiovascular, and respiratory diseases [6][7][8][9].…”