EFFECT OF VIRTUAL REALITY WITH AND WITHOUT CONVENTIONAL PHYSIOTHERAPY IN THE MANAGEMENT OF MECHANICAL NECK PAIN IN DESK JOB WORKERS- A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL

This randomized controlled trial aims to assess the effectiveness of virtual reality (VR) therapy with and without conventional physiotherapy in managing mechanical neck pain among desk job workers. Fifty participants aged 20 to 45 years who work on computers for at least 8 hours daily will be randomly assigned into two groups. Group A will receive only VR therapy using Oculus Go for 15 minutes twice weekly for 4 weeks, while Group B will receive the same VR therapy along with conventional physiotherapy exercises, including range of motion, strengthening, isometric, and stretching exercises. The study will evaluate outcomes such as pain intensity (VAS), cervical range of motion (using an inclinometer), and neck disability index (NDI) at three time points: baseline (week 0), post-intervention (week 4), and follow-up (week 8). The primary objective is to compare the effectiveness of VR therapy alone versus its combination with conventional physiotherapy, while the secondary objective is to examine the sustainability of VR therapy effects and determine its optimal dosage in a workplace setting. This study anticipates improved pain relief, function, patient engagement, and feasibility of VR as a workplace-based rehabilitation strategy.