Feasibility and user experience of augmented reality psychoeducation and mindfulness body scan for chronic low back pain
BackgroundChronic low back pain (CLBP) is prevalent and a multimodal therapy is indicated, including psychological treatment. Effective conventional treatments involve psychoeducation and mindfulness-based body scans, while virtual reality offers superior but temporary pain relief. Augmented Reality...
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-07-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Pain Research |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpain.2025.1600637/full |
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| author | Robin Conen Nikolai Hepke Jörg Lohscheller Steffen Mueller Ana N. Tibubos Ana N. Tibubos |
| author_facet | Robin Conen Nikolai Hepke Jörg Lohscheller Steffen Mueller Ana N. Tibubos Ana N. Tibubos |
| author_sort | Robin Conen |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | BackgroundChronic low back pain (CLBP) is prevalent and a multimodal therapy is indicated, including psychological treatment. Effective conventional treatments involve psychoeducation and mindfulness-based body scans, while virtual reality offers superior but temporary pain relief. Augmented Reality (AR), which combines conventional and virtual methods, is a novel therapeutic strategy.MethodsWe investigated the viability and acceptability of an AR intervention for CLBP by incorporating psychoeducation and mindfulness-based body scan techniques. 40 participants in two studies with a one-arm design underwent an educational AR intervention (Study I, n1 = 18) and an enhanced version with an additional body scan (Study II, n2 = 22). The studies focused on evaluating technical feasibility and multiple facets of user experience.ResultsThe results demonstrated high feasibility with low dropout rates (Study I: 10%, Study II: 0%). User experience ratings ranged from “Above Average” to “Excellent,” with the advanced intervention receiving higher ratings. While Study I showed no significant changes in affect pre- vs. post-intervention, Study II exhibited a significant reduction in negative affect and improved valence. Qualitative analysis provided insights into technical requirements and user perceptions.DiscussionThe AR prototype emerges as a promising psychoeducational tool for CLBP, aligning with current treatment guidelines and providing a basis for future controlled clinical trials. Limitations include the absence of a high-pain intervention group, as Study I reported a pain intensity of M = 1.05 and Study II reported M = 1.77 (Range: 0–10). Further research such as clinical trials with control groups is required to validate the efficacy of the piloted approach. The AR-based psychoeducation and mindfulness body scan intervention for CLBP demonstrated technical feasibility and a good user experience.
Clinical Trial RegistrationOpen Science Framework.io; https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/DSW5X and https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/XVJBZ |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-d9b4c7932e9645b582f320b1bfbcbd42 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2673-561X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Pain Research |
| spelling | doaj-art-d9b4c7932e9645b582f320b1bfbcbd422025-08-20T03:33:15ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Pain Research2673-561X2025-07-01610.3389/fpain.2025.16006371600637Feasibility and user experience of augmented reality psychoeducation and mindfulness body scan for chronic low back painRobin Conen0Nikolai Hepke1Jörg Lohscheller2Steffen Mueller3Ana N. Tibubos4Ana N. Tibubos5Department of Diagnostics in Healthcare & eHealth, Trier University, Trier, GermanyDepartment of Computer Science, Trier University of Applied Sciences, Trier, GermanyDepartment of Computer Science, Trier University of Applied Sciences, Trier, GermanyDepartment of Computer Science/Therapeutic Sciences, Trier University of Applied Sciences, Trier, GermanyDepartment of Diagnostics in Healthcare & eHealth, Trier University, Trier, GermanyDepartment of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Mainz, Mainz, GermanyBackgroundChronic low back pain (CLBP) is prevalent and a multimodal therapy is indicated, including psychological treatment. Effective conventional treatments involve psychoeducation and mindfulness-based body scans, while virtual reality offers superior but temporary pain relief. Augmented Reality (AR), which combines conventional and virtual methods, is a novel therapeutic strategy.MethodsWe investigated the viability and acceptability of an AR intervention for CLBP by incorporating psychoeducation and mindfulness-based body scan techniques. 40 participants in two studies with a one-arm design underwent an educational AR intervention (Study I, n1 = 18) and an enhanced version with an additional body scan (Study II, n2 = 22). The studies focused on evaluating technical feasibility and multiple facets of user experience.ResultsThe results demonstrated high feasibility with low dropout rates (Study I: 10%, Study II: 0%). User experience ratings ranged from “Above Average” to “Excellent,” with the advanced intervention receiving higher ratings. While Study I showed no significant changes in affect pre- vs. post-intervention, Study II exhibited a significant reduction in negative affect and improved valence. Qualitative analysis provided insights into technical requirements and user perceptions.DiscussionThe AR prototype emerges as a promising psychoeducational tool for CLBP, aligning with current treatment guidelines and providing a basis for future controlled clinical trials. Limitations include the absence of a high-pain intervention group, as Study I reported a pain intensity of M = 1.05 and Study II reported M = 1.77 (Range: 0–10). Further research such as clinical trials with control groups is required to validate the efficacy of the piloted approach. The AR-based psychoeducation and mindfulness body scan intervention for CLBP demonstrated technical feasibility and a good user experience. Clinical Trial RegistrationOpen Science Framework.io; https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/DSW5X and https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/XVJBZhttps://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpain.2025.1600637/fullaugmented realitychronic low back painpain educationmindfulness body scanuser experiencefeasibility |
| spellingShingle | Robin Conen Nikolai Hepke Jörg Lohscheller Steffen Mueller Ana N. Tibubos Ana N. Tibubos Feasibility and user experience of augmented reality psychoeducation and mindfulness body scan for chronic low back pain Frontiers in Pain Research augmented reality chronic low back pain pain education mindfulness body scan user experience feasibility |
| title | Feasibility and user experience of augmented reality psychoeducation and mindfulness body scan for chronic low back pain |
| title_full | Feasibility and user experience of augmented reality psychoeducation and mindfulness body scan for chronic low back pain |
| title_fullStr | Feasibility and user experience of augmented reality psychoeducation and mindfulness body scan for chronic low back pain |
| title_full_unstemmed | Feasibility and user experience of augmented reality psychoeducation and mindfulness body scan for chronic low back pain |
| title_short | Feasibility and user experience of augmented reality psychoeducation and mindfulness body scan for chronic low back pain |
| title_sort | feasibility and user experience of augmented reality psychoeducation and mindfulness body scan for chronic low back pain |
| topic | augmented reality chronic low back pain pain education mindfulness body scan user experience feasibility |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpain.2025.1600637/full |
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