What is it about?
Many women experience lower back and pelvic pain after childbirth, which can affect not only physical recovery but also emotional well-being, confidence in movement, and the ability to cope with pain. This study investigated whether fully immersive virtual reality (VR)-based exercise could provide additional psychological and emotional benefits compared with traditional exercise in postpartum women with lumbopelvic pain. Sixty women participated in a randomized controlled trial and completed eight physiotherapy sessions over four weeks. The findings showed that VR-based exercise was particularly beneficial in reducing fear of movement and pain-related negative thoughts, while supporting adaptive coping and emotional well-being. Improvements in anxiety and depressive symptoms were also observed, with VR showing encouraging short-term benefits compared with traditional exercise. The VR intervention was well tolerated, with no adverse effects interfering with participation. These findings suggest that immersive virtual reality may be a valuable addition to conventional physiotherapy for postpartum rehabilitation, providing an engaging approach that addresses both physical and psychological aspects of recovery. The study contributes to the growing evidence on technology-enabled rehabilitation and innovative approaches to women's health.
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Why is it important?
Postpartum lumbopelvic pain can affect more than physical recovery—it may also lead to fear of movement, negative thoughts about pain, emotional distress, and reduced confidence in daily activities. This study highlights the potential of immersive virtual reality as an engaging addition to physiotherapy rehabilitation. By addressing both physical and psychological aspects of recovery, VR-based exercise may help women feel more confident about movement, develop healthier ways of coping with pain, and improve emotional well-being after childbirth. These findings may support physiotherapists and healthcare professionals in considering innovative, technology-enabled approaches to more holistic postpartum care.
Perspectives
This study provides a perspective on how immersive virtual reality could become a useful component of holistic postpartum physiotherapy. Rather than focusing only on pain and physical function, rehabilitation can also address fear of movement, pain-related thoughts, coping strategies, and emotional well-being. Future research should explore longer-term effects of VR-based rehabilitation, its effectiveness in larger and more diverse postpartum populations, and how it can be integrated into routine physiotherapy practice. With further evidence, immersive VR may offer an engaging and patient-centered approach to supporting recovery after childbirth.
javeria aslam
Universidad Europea de Madrid
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Psychological and emotional benefits of virtual reality-based exercise for postpartum women with lumbopelvic pain: A randomized controlled trial, PLOS Global Public Health, September 2026, PLOS,
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0006354.
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